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Factors affecting the neonatal intensive care unit stay duration in very low birth weight premature infants

Akram Niknajad1, Morteza Ghojazadeh2, Niloufar Sattarzadeh3

  • 1MSc, Department of Midwifery, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.

Journal of Caring Sciences
|October 3, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Factors like intrauterine growth retardation, infections, and feeding intolerance significantly impact the length of stay for premature infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Addressing these can shorten hospitalization for VLBW infants.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatalogy
  • Pediatrics
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Improved survival of very low birth weight (VLBW) infants necessitates intensive care, but prolonged hospitalization poses significant emotional and economic burdens.
  • Identifying key factors influencing hospitalization duration is crucial for mitigating adverse outcomes of premature birth.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the primary factors affecting the length of stay for premature infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

Main Methods:

  • A descriptive-analytical study involving 170 low birth weight premature infants in Tabriz, Iran.
  • Evaluation of factors including birth weight, gestational age, feeding initiation, weight regain, and parenteral nutrition duration.
  • Data analysis using descriptive statistics and linear regression, with statistical significance set at p<0.05.

Main Results:

  • The average NICU stay was 14.51 ± 10.12 days.
  • Significant factors influencing NICU stay included intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR), positive C-reactive protein (CRP) and blood culture, gastric remnant issues, delayed birth weight regain, and enteral feeding intolerance.
  • Mean birth weight was 1310.26 ± 804.26 g and mean gestational age was 30.51 ± 0.34 weeks.

Conclusions:

  • Preventing IUGR during pregnancy and minimizing perinatal/nosocomial infections are vital for reducing NICU length of stay.
  • Implementing appropriate and well-tolerated feeding strategies, particularly early trophic feeding, is recommended to shorten hospitalization for VLBW infants.
Abstract

Keywords:
Neonatal intensive carePremature infantUnit stayVery low birth weight

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