Eye check (ROP)
Babies born very early or very small need eye checks for retinopathy of prematurity in the first weeks.
Specialist neonatal follow-up for preterm and low-birth-weight babies – from NICU discharge to school age – with Dr. Neha Garg Jaiswal, Pediatrician & Neonatologist and member of the National Neonatology Forum.
A baby born before 37 weeks of pregnancy is premature (preterm). A baby weighing less than 2.5 kg at birth is low birth weight. Both groups need closer follow-up after going home, because their lungs, gut, immunity and brain are still catching up.
With her experience in neonatal intensive care, Dr. Neha understands what your baby went through in the NICU – and what to watch for next. Her goal is simple: steady growth, on-time vaccines and every milestone supported early.
The earlier the birth, the closer the follow-up in the first year.
| Category | Born at | Typical follow-up focus |
|---|---|---|
| Late preterm | 34 to 36 weeks | Feeding, jaundice, temperature, weight gain |
| Moderately preterm | 32 to 33 weeks | Growth catch-up, anaemia, development |
| Very preterm | 28 to 31 weeks | Eye (ROP) and hearing screening, development, lungs |
| Extremely preterm | Before 28 weeks | Intensive multi-specialty follow-up in the first years |
The first weeks at home can feel overwhelming. Dr. Neha reviews everything with you in the first visit.
Birth details, NICU course, medicines and supplements prescribed.
Breast milk, fortifiers or formula, and how much your baby should gain.
What normal looks like at home, and how to keep your baby warm.
Blood tests only when needed.
Visits, screening tests and vaccines planned in advance.
Kangaroo mother care means holding your baby skin-to-skin on your chest. It keeps preterm babies warm, steadies breathing and heart rate, improves breastfeeding and helps weight gain.
For milestones and growth, premature babies are measured by corrected age – their age minus the weeks they were born early. A 6-month-old born 8 weeks early is compared with a 4-month-old’s milestones. Doctors use corrected age until about 2 years.
Vaccines, however, are given by actual age from birth, not corrected age – unless the doctor advises otherwise.
Babies born very early or very small need eye checks for retinopathy of prematurity in the first weeks.
To catch hearing loss early, when support works best.
Weight, length and head size on special preterm growth charts.
Motor, speech and social milestones at regular intervals.
For anaemia and bone health, only as needed.
On time, by actual age, with any special vaccines discussed.
Breast milk is the best food for premature babies. Some need fortified feeds or supplements for a few months – Dr. Neha plots weight at every visit and adjusts the plan until your baby is growing steadily.
Premature babies catch infections more easily, so simple habits matter.
| Age (corrected) | What is checked |
|---|---|
| Within 72 hours of discharge | Weight, feeding, jaundice, discharge review |
| Every 2–4 weeks till term | Growth, feeds, supplements, eye and hearing results |
| 3, 6, 9 and 12 months | Growth, development, vaccines |
| 18 months and 2 years | Speech, motor skills and social milestones |
The schedule is personalised to your baby’s gestation, birth weight and NICU course.
In an emergency, go to the nearest hospital straight away. For guidance, call or WhatsApp +91 98184 07725.
Short, clear answers to the questions parents ask Dr. Neha most often. Your own child’s situation is always best discussed in person.
Ask on WhatsAppMost preterm babies catch up in growth and milestones by 2 to 3 years, judged by corrected age. Very premature babies may take longer and need closer follow-up.
No. Vaccines are given by actual age from birth, unless the doctor advises otherwise.
As many hours a day as you can, until your baby no longer settles in the position – usually around term age.
A neonatologist or a pediatrician with neonatal experience is ideal for follow-up in the first two years.
Some can – feeding reviews and report checks work well by video. Growth measurements and examinations need clinic visits in Noida or Greater Noida West.
MBBS, MD (Paediatrics) · Pediatrician & Neonatologist
Dr. Neha is a pediatrician and neonatologist with 15+ years of clinical experience, including newborn and paediatric care at Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, Chacha Nehru Bal Chikitsalaya, ESIC Hospital Noida, Cloudnine and Yashoda. She consults at her clinics in Noida Sector 76 and Greater Noida West, and online.
Bring your baby’s discharge summary – Dr. Neha will plan growth checks, screening and vaccines with you.
