Factors responsible for the prolonged stay of surgical neonates in intensive care units

Area of Science:

• Neonatal surgery
• Pediatric critical care
• Healthcare management

Background:

• Hospital stay (HS) length is a significant concern with social, economic, and administrative implications, especially for neonates in intensive care units (ICUs).
• Identifying factors contributing to prolonged HS in surgical neonates is crucial for optimizing care and resource allocation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the key factors contributing to prolonged hospital stay in neonates undergoing general surgical procedures.
• To analyze the relationship between various clinical parameters and the duration of hospitalization in this vulnerable population.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective study reviewed 95 neonates who underwent general surgery and were admitted to the neonatal ICU between July 2009 and June 2013.
• Statistical analyses included Mann-Whitney U tests, Pearson's Chi-squared tests, and multiple regression analysis to identify significant predictors of prolonged HS.

Main Results:

• Factors significantly associated with prolonged HS included lower gestational age, lower birth weight, increased duration of mechanical ventilation, and postoperative morbidity.
• The age of neonates at the time of their first full enteral feed was independently associated with increased HS.

Conclusions:

• Prolonged hospital stay in surgical neonates is multifactorial, with prematurity, low birth weight, respiratory support duration, and complications playing key roles.
• Delayed initiation of full enteral feeding emerged as a significant correlate of extended hospitalization, warranting further investigation for clinical practice implications.