These results and observations are then discussed with you as parents. Our aim is to provide your child and you as a family with the best possible advice and, if necessary, to initiate support and encouragement.
In some cases, only one check takes place. In certain risk groups, checks are carried out until kindergarten or even school age, as certain abnormalities and challenges only become apparent during childhood or even in adulthood.
Collection and use of data in SwissNeoNet
For certain patient groups, the results of developmental neurological follow-up care are recorded in the national SwissNeoNet register with the consent of the parents and in encrypted form. SwissNeoNet is important for the quality assurance of medical care, for informing specialists and parents and for research projects. The aim is to further improve medical care for premature babies and other children with risk factors.
Aftercare up to 2 years
The neonatology department of the USZ offers developmental neurological checks up to the age of 2 years. We work closely with the developmental pediatrics department at the Children’s Hospital Zurich and other follow-up centers. If children need further checks after the age of 2, we refer the families to an appropriate center.
What does a corrected age mean?
If a child is born prematurely, we calculate the so-called corrected age in the first two years of life. This means that we do not evaluate development and growth from the actual birthday, but from the originally calculated date. In this way, we give your child the time it needs to mature individually.
3-month check
During the examination at the age of (corrected) 3 months, we take plenty of time to take a holistic look at your child’s current status. At this age, the focus is on general thriving and the first major developmental steps.
What we are investigating in detail:
- Motor skills and movement: We observe your child’s spontaneous movements (General Movements). We pay particular attention to muscle strength and the symmetry of movement sequences.
- Growth and thriving: Your child is given a complete physical examination, weighed and measured. We compare this data with the corresponding growth curves (percentiles) for the corrected age.
- Behavior: We look at how your child reacts to its environment and how it interacts with you.
After the examination, we will discuss our observations with you in detail. Together we will consider whether your child needs targeted support.
- If necessary, we initiate accompanying measures such as physiotherapy in order to optimally promote motor development.
- We answer your questions on everyday topics such as nutrition, sleeping habits or dealing with special circumstances after your stay in hospital.
Please allow approx. 60 minutes for the examination.
1 and 2-year check
The next check-ups take place at the age of (corrected) 9-12 months or (corrected) 18-24 months.
What we are investigating in detail:
- Play behavior: Play shows how the child perceives its environment and discovers new things. We observe how your child handles the toys on offer, what interests they have and whether they play in an age-appropriate way.
- Language development: We look at how your child forms and understands sounds, words and possibly their first sentences. However, communication also includes non-verbal communication, i.e. how you communicate without words. For example, we pay attention to your child’s gestures and facial expressions.
- Gross and fine motor development: We assess movements such as grasping and the targeted use of the hands (fine motor skills) and how the child learns to move (gross motor skills). We pay attention to coordination, strength and transitions between movements.
- Behavior and emotional development: We are interested in how your child makes contact with other people and reacts to familiar people. This includes things like facial expressions, gestures, playing together and emotional reactions.
- Growth and development: Height, weight and head circumference are measured. We compare this data with the corresponding growth curves (percentiles) for the corrected age. The child is also examined completely.
After the examination, we will discuss our observations with you in detail. Together we will consider whether your child needs targeted support.
- If necessary, we initiate accompanying measures.
- We answer your questions on everyday topics such as nutrition, sleep behavior or autonomy development.
The examination usually takes 2-2.5 hours, so please allow enough time.
Who covers the costs of the examination?
The costs of the examination are covered by health insurance and in some cases by disability insurance. A medical report is drawn up for each check-up and sent to the parents, the pediatrician and any other doctors and therapists involved.
Organizational matters
Where do I have to register?
Clinic for Neonatology, Frauenklinikstrasse 10, North 1, Floor B, Room 300, 8006 Zurich
Please arrive well in advance and allow enough time.
What documents do I need to bring with me?
Please bring the following documents with you to the examinations:
- current health insurance card
- Documents/reports from preliminary investigations
- Preventive care book with vaccination card
Postponement/cancellation
If you are unable to keep an appointment, please let us know in good time on weekdays at
044 255 53 45 or neo@usz.ch
Siblings/examination of twins
In order to be able to carry out the examination as calmly as possible and without distraction, we ask you not to bring any siblings to the examination for the 1 and 2-year check-ups. Twins are also examined one after the other in the presence of a caregiver.
