Neonatal care has improved greatly in recent years, focusing its efforts on low weight and premature children. Literature has considered prematurity under several focuses, recommending the following of growth and development in a systematic way. The present study tries to present a review of the literature on nursing care in the follow-up to premature children, in order to promote a reflection about the health care given to this custumers. Authors searched in the data bank of the University of São Paulo, international periodicals and recent books. In general, studies focus on nursing role and strategies, such as home visits, in order to provide follow-up for the children and give orientations to mothers, as well as give support to the families. Studies emphasize the importance of multiprofessional teams working with mothers, children and families from neonatal intensive care to the post-neonatal period. The following of children brings out the need of reorganization and integration of health services, as well as the improvement of the relatioonships between professionals and families. Therefore, it is important to characterize the follow-up of this children, enabling the way for a more effective role in nursing care.
nursing care; follow-up of low birth weight and premature children