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Critical CareFetal Medicine

LIFE Clinic

(415) 476-2538

The Long-term Infant-to-Adult Follow-up and Evaluation Program (LIFE Clinic) in our San Francisco location provides expert medical care to children born with complex birth defects. Our goal is to promote the development of healthy kids who grow to become well-adjusted and independent adults.

The team of specialists includes gastroenterologists, neonatologists, pulmonologists, dietitians and the pediatric development team, led by the pediatric surgery service. Patients, ranging in age from infants to teenagers, were born with conditions that make them prone to specific medical issues such as feeding difficulties, delayed neurodevelopment, and asthma or reactive airway disease. By controlling or preventing these problems, we help our patients live more comfortably, stay healthier and enjoy a better quality of life.

Some of the conditions affecting our patients include congenital diaphragmatic hernia; anorectal malformations; Hirschsprung's disease; esophageal atresia, with or without tracheo-esophageal fistula; congenital lung masses (such as congenital pulmonary airway malformation or bronchopulmonary sequestration); sacrococcygeal teratoma; biliary anomalies (including choledochal cyst and biliary atresia) and anterior abdominal wall defects (omphalocoele or gastroschisis).

Our locations (1)

    Our team

    Awards & recognition

    • Ranked among the nation's best in 10 specialties

    Related conditions

    Plan your visit

    Preparing for your appointment

    What to Bring

    • Photo I.D.
    • Health insurance card
    • Insurance authorization, if required
    • Doctor's referral, if required
    • Recent test results related to your child's condition
    • List of medications, including dosages, plus any your child is allergic to
    • List of questions you may have
    • Device or paper for taking notes

    New visitor rules

    Before you head to the hospital, check our special COVID-19 rules for visitors. Thanks!

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    Your Stay

    We offer valuable information to help you plan for your child's upcoming hospital stay. Find out about food services, family accommodations and more.

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    Your Child's Care Team

    Our doctors, nurses, child life specialists and other providers have special training to care for children. Meet your child's care team.

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    Interpreter Services & Communication Assistance

    Interpreter services in many languages and TDDs are available for families that need help communicating with care teams. Here's how to access them.

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    Related clinics (2)

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    Fetal Treatment Center

    Fetal Treatment Center

    San Francisco / Oakland
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    General Surgery Clinic

    General Surgery Clinic

    San Francisco / Oakland / Brentwood / Fremont / San Ramon / Walnut Creek

    Support services

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    Child Life Services

    Activity rooms, pet therapy and more to help kids feel at home.

    Child Life

    Certified child life specialists ease the stress and anxiety of childhood illness through therapeutic play, schooling and family-focused support.

    Family Amenities

    Family-friendly amenities help you relax and take care of yourself while staying close to your child. We offer lounges, kitchens, showers, breastfeeding rooms and more.

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    Social Services

    Social workers ease the effect of illness, injury and hospitalization on your family with counseling and assistance to help you navigate the challenges.

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    Activity Rooms

    Activity rooms offer a relaxed environment for children of all ages. Features include a playroom, digital arts studio and teen lounge. Find out more.

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    Art Therapy

    Art therapy helps kids and families express themselves, making it easier to cope with pediatric health issues. Group and bedside services are available.

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    Music Therapy Program

    Board-certified music therapists help kids cope with illness and the feelings that come with it. Find out about group activities and bedside therapy.

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    School Program

    Our schoolroom services and individual learning programs help children hospitalized at UCSF continue their education and get ready to return to school.

    school-re-entry-program-2x

    School Re-Entry Program

    After hospitalization, we help kids return to school by educating staff and students about their needs and recommending needed accommodations. Read more.

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    Individual Playtime & Instruction

    If your child can't be around other kids for medical reasons, you can sign up for private sessions in our activity and school rooms. Find out how.

    interpreters-2x

    Interpreter Services & Communication Assistance

    Interpreter services in many languages and TDDs are available for families that need help communicating with care teams. Here's how to access them.

    Family Resource Center

    We help families cope with the challenges of childhood illness and hospitalization in a relaxing environment where parents can get a much-needed break.

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    Parent Support Program

    Weekly activities, including knitting, scrapbooking, chair massage and more, help family caregivers get a much-needed break. Find out more.

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    Patient Relations

    Patient relations reps and nursing supervisors are here to answer questions and address concerns. Learn about your rights, how to reach us and more.

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    Spiritual Care

    Chaplains help UCSF patients, families and staff cope with the spiritual and emotional challenges of childhood illness. Learn more.

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    International Services

    If you're coming to UCSF from outside the U.S., we coordinate your child's appointments and provide other helpful services. Here's how to get started.

    Our research initiatives

    • ucsf-division-of-neonatology-research-2x

      UCSF Division of Neonatology Research

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    • ucsf-division-of-pediatric-critical-care-research-2x

      UCSF Division of Pediatric Critical Care Research

      Learn more

    Translation, please

    We have interpreters for Cantonese, Mandarin, Spanish, Russian, American Sign Language and more.

    Request an interpreter

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