The high risk infant: transitions in health, development, and family during the first years of life.

Greater numbers of preterm, low birth weight ("high risk") infants are surviving than ever before. It has become increasingly important for physicians and other health care professionals to become familiar with the many real and potential problems seen in this population of children during the first years of life and beyond. The residue of illnesses that are presented in the neonatal intensive care nursery and major health vulnerabilities of the early years are discussed in this article. Normal variations in neurodevelopmental patterns unique to preterm infants and neurodevelopmental disabilities which have a higher prevalence in this population are presented. The impact of a high risk infant on the family unit is described. Finally, resources and interventions available to the child, family, and health care provider during and following the transition from the hospital to home are reviewed.