Will my child need follow-up care?

Yes, your child will need follow-up care after ECMO, and it's an important part of helping them recover fully and reach their best potential. Children who have been on ECMO are at higher risk for certain long-term effects because of the severity of the illness that required ECMO, as well as potential complications during treatment (such as effects on the brain, lungs, heart, or growth).

What Follow-Up Typically Includes

Before leaving the hospital (predischarge):

• Thorough medical and neurologic evaluations (including head imaging if needed, hearing screens, and basic developmental checks).
• Education for you and your family about what to watch for, signs of potential issues, and how to coordinate ongoing care.
• Planning for therapies or specialists as soon as your child is stable.

After discharge (ongoing):

• Regular visits with your child's primary pediatrician for general health, growth, and vaccinations.
• Disease-specific care for the original condition (e.g., pulmonologist for lung issues, cardiologist if heart-related).
• Structured neurodevelopmental follow-up: This often involves developmental pediatricians and neurologists. They assess things like motor skills, learning, behavior, speech, and school performance at key ages (e.g., 6–12 months, preschool, school entry, and later grades).
• Therapies as needed: Physical, occupational, speech, or feeding therapy; vision/hearing support; or behavioral/psychological help.
• Monitoring for any new issues that can appear over time, such as subtle learning challenges, coordination difficulties, or growth concerns.

The frequency and exact components depend on your child's age, the reason for ECMO, any complications during ECMO (like neurologic events), and how they're progressing. Some children need only routine checks with occasional specialist input, while others benefit from more frequent evaluations.