Very preterm infants: a reference centre for neurodevelopmental follow-up at Erasme
The Follow-up Centre for Very Preterm Infants at the University Hospital of Brussels is recognised in Belgium as a reference centre for neurodevelopmental monitoring and care
In Belgium, around 1,500 babies are born each year before 32 weeks of pregnancy or with a birth weight below 1,500 grams. These babies are known as very preterm infants.
From their very first hours of life, they are cared for in the neonatology units of the Erasme Hospital and the Queen Fabiola Children’s University Hospital (HUDERF), within the H.U.B – Brussels University Hospital.
Medical and paramedical teams accompany these children from the incubator through to the age of five, giving them every chance to grow and develop securely.
A dedicated environment for the very beginning of life
When a baby is born too early, every gesture matters.
In neonatology, care focuses on supporting the immaturity of developing organs: breathing, digestion and temperature regulation.
Neonatologists, nurses, physiotherapists, psychologists and speech therapists work together to provide a stable, soothing and safe environment for these fragile infants.
Parents — often torn between joy, exhaustion and anxiety — are involved at every step: skin-to-skin contact, participation in daily care, and regular discussions with the team.
Supporting a very preterm infant also means supporting their parents.
After neonatology: ensuring continuity of care
Going home is an emotional milestone — both joyful and unsettling.
“Many parents ask themselves: What happens now? How will my child develop?” explains Dr Florence Christiaens, paediatric neurologist at the Brussels University Hospital.
To meet these needs, the Follow-up Centre for Very Preterm Infants was created. It is recognised by the Belgian National Institute for Health and Disability Insurance (INAMI/RIZIV) as a reference centre for neurodevelopmental follow-up.
This fully reimbursed programme allows early detection of possible motor, language or cognitive vulnerabilities.
Where needed, early support can be offered: physiotherapy, speech therapy, psychomotricity or parental guidance.
Scientific evidence is clear: early follow-up significantly improves the developmental outcomes and quality of life of very preterm infants.
A structured pathway from infancy to early childhood
Infants born before 31 weeks of pregnancy or weighing less than 1,500 grams benefit from four multidisciplinary assessments, scheduled between 3 months and 5 years of corrected age.
At each stage, the specialised team assesses motor skills, language, cognition, vision and hearing.
Infants born between 31 and 32 weeks receive two assessments.
These consultations are more than simple evaluations: they are also opportunities for dialogue, reassurance and support.
Families can ask questions, share concerns and receive guidance throughout a journey often filled with strong emotions.
Grands prématurés : suivi neurodéveloppemental | Hôpital Erasme
Service de néonatalogie
Anderlecht : Service de Néonatalogie - Hôpital Erasme H.U.B
Laeken : Néonatalogie | Hôpital Universitaire des Enfants Reine Fabiola