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The ABC's of the Riley Infant Lung Center
 We know infants with breathing problems require special attention to ensure continued improvement in their breathing function. That is why Riley Hospital for Children has developed a new program to care for infants with chronic lung conditions. At the Riley Infant Lung Center, a specially trained team of pediatric experts will provide pulmonary care for your infant with breathing problems. The program includes education and training for you and your family on the best ways to provide care for your infant at home. The members of our team have worked together for decades to improve the quality of infant respiratory care by leading in the development of infant lung function testing, providing state-of-the-art treatment and continually improving the quality of life of infants and their families.
Based on our extensive experience in treating infants with lung disease, we have developed a comprehensive approach to educate families about respiratory illness and developed individual programs for the care of each infant. Our program, the ABC's of Managing Infant Lung Disease, coordinates care of the infant before discharge from the nursery, provides evaluation and treatment during the important period of infancy and continued care for those with chronic respiratory problems.
 Assessment
Assessment begins with the first visits of one of our pediatric pulmonologists and our nurse practitioner to see your child in the newborn nursery. We work closely with your infant's neonatologist to begin planning for your baby's discharge from the hospital. The pulmonologist will review the chart, examine your infant and begin to formulate a plan to care for the breathing problems affecting your infant. Often the pulmonologist will recommend special tests to assess your infant's breathing patterns and oxygen needs. This is done to help find out what kinds of support your baby will need once he/she is home with you. The nurse practitioner from the Infant Lung Center will meet with you to discuss the team's recommendations for the care of your infant.
 Beyond the Nursery
Following discharge from the nursery, care for your child's respiratory problems will be managed by the Infant Lung Center Team. Your pulmonologist will direct the care of your infant and will usually see you monthly (more often if needed) for the first several months after discharge. The nurse specialist will also work with your infant during outpatient visits and will be available to provide assistance for medical and homecare questions between visits. Our pediatric dietician and respiratory therapist will also evaluate your infant during outpatient visits and will assist with management of these important aspects of care. We will obtain specialized tests from time to time to help follow your baby's progress and evaluate his/her needs. These tests include infant lung function tests, chest X-rays, blood tests and sleep studies.
 Continuing Care
Many children need to continue pulmonary care after graduation from the Infant Lung Center. At one year of age, your child's care will continue to be provided in the Riley Pulmonary Center where your pulmonologist will continue to care for your child along with a team of experts in the care of children with lung disease. Often pulmonary function tests, sleep studies and chest X-rays will be used in the management of your child's lung condition. This care will be coordinated with your child's primary care provider.
If you have questions about the Riley Infant Lung Center or your child's condition, please contact us at 317-274-7208.
Our experienced team of pediatric specialists creates a care plan to fit each infant and family. The goals of the specialized plan are to:
- Reduce symptoms so they do not occur daily
- Educate parents about the warning signs of respiratory distress
- Train families in the use of home oxygen, monitors and medication delivery devices - Achieve and maintain excellent nutrition
- Achieve excellent communication among our team, the parents and the primary physicians
Riley Infant Lung Center
Phone: 317-274-7208
Fax: 317-274-5791
[Keywords:Pulmonologists, lung, pulmonary, respiratory, respiratory distress]
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