High Risk Infant & Medically Vulnerable Infant Program

High Risk Infant Program

The goal of Tulare County High Risk Infant Program (HRIP) is to provide Interagency Team Coordination to deliver desired services to infants and their families. Any child from birth to 3 years of age is eligible for referral if they meet any of the following criteria:

  • Birth weight less than or equal to 1500 grams (3.3 lbs.) or gestational age at birth less than or equal to 32 weeks
  • Apgar score less than 4 at 5 minutes after birth
  • Positive Pressure Respiratory Support of Oxygen longer than 28 days or Extra Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO)
  • Radiographic findings of Chronic Lung Disease (CLD)
  • Persistent Acidemia, or umbilical blood or blood gas pH less than 7 within one hour of birth
  • Hypotension with vasopressor support
  • Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension (PPHN) with Nitric Oxide (NO) support greater than 4 hours
  • Central Nervous System (CNS) infection, documented sepsis, or documented seizure activity
  • Intracranial pathology or other problems that increase the risk of developmental or neurologic abnormality
  • Bilirubin in excess of usual exchange transfusion
  • Cardiovascular instability
  • Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN), tracheotomy tube, or other high risk conditions at discharge from birth hospitalization
  • Persistent apnea requiring prescription, or oxygen support at discharge from birth hospitalization
  • Congenital, genetic, or metabolic condition that may be associated with any disability

Drug Exposed Infant Program

Any infant or child, from birth to 3 years of age, having any of the following risk factors is eligible for referral to the Drug Exposed Infant Program (DEIP):

  • Any positive urine drug screen during prenatal care
  • Any maternal history or admission of substance use or abuse including prescription drugs, tobacco, or alcohol during the pregnancy
  • Any terratogenic environmental substance exposure during the pregnancy