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Published on: August 15, 2018
Opportunities for maternal transport for delivery of very low birth weight infants
D Robles1, Y J Blumenfeld2,3, H C Lee3,4,5
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
Objective:
To assess frequency of very low birth weight (VLBW) births at non-level III hospitals.
Study Design:
Retrospective cohort study using linked California birth certificate and discharge data of 2008 to 2010 for deliveries of singleton or first-born infant of multiple gestations with birth weight 400 to 1500 g. Delivery rates by neonatal level of care were obtained. Risk of delivery at non-level III centers was estimated in univariable and multivariable models.
Results:
Of the 1 508 143 births, 13 919 (9.2%) were VLBW; birth rate at non-level III centers was 14.9% (8.4% in level I and 6.5% in level II). Median rate of VLBW births was 0.3% (range 0 to 4.7%) annually at level I and 0.5% (range 0 to 1.6%) at level II hospitals. Antepartum stay for >24 h occurred in 14.0% and 26.9% of VLBW births in level I and level II hospitals, respectively.
Conclusion:
Further improvement is possible in reducing VLBW infant delivery at suboptimal sites, given the window of opportunity for many patients.
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