"This Australian clinical guideline on growth, health and developmental follow-up for children born
very preterm addresses the priorities of health professionals and people with lived experience of very
preterm birth. The guideline was developed by systematically reviewing the available evidence which
was presented to multidisciplinary clinical experts and consumers to develop recommendations and
practice points relevant to clinicians, consumers and policy makers, for the Australian context.
The guideline promotes a structured, post-discharge growth, health and developmental follow-up
schedule for children born very preterm.

Professionals, caregivers and other supporting services can use this guideline to advocate for and
facilitate structured, post discharge follow-up for children born very preterm and their families. Health
service providers and policy makers can use this guideline to guide local services and policy
development. Organisations responsible for funding decisions can use this guideline to develop a
greater understanding of the benefits of structured follow-up and that, with funding, appropriate
follow-up can make a difference for children born very preterm and their families."

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I was invited as the mother of a baby born very prematurely to provide my input into the development of these guidelines. The process from EOI to launch too a few years and I thoroughly enjoyed every step of the process especially seeing/hearing such brilliant medical minds at work finding ways to improve outcomes for our most vulnerable babies in the longterm.

ITo have my name and my input in something that is so vital to future premmie families is such an honour. I loved playing my small part in an incredible team of around 30 medical professionals and NICU Parent advocates. These guidelines are something I am incredibly proud of.

Well done to Dr Jeanie Chong, Dr Alice Burnett, Dr Jamie Owen & the rest of the team at Murdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI) who worked tirelessly to have these guidelines approved.

See full guidelines here:

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