Neonatal Mandibular Distraction Does Not Increase Inpatient Complications

The purpose of this study was to determine whether performing mandibular distraction osteogenesis (MDO) during the neonatal period increased inpatient complications as measured through health-care burden.

This was a retrospective cohort study of the Kids' Inpatient Database from 2000 to 2011. Infants receiving MDO prior to 12 months of age were included. The primary study predictor was distraction age, classified as either neonatal or non-neonatal. Secondary predictors were patient demographics, hospitalization characteristics, diagnoses, and procedures. The outcomes were the number of procedures performed, postoperative length of stay (pLOS), hospital charges, and the discharge transfer rate. Outcomes were compared between the primary predictors using χ² and independent 2-sample t tests. Multiple linear and logistic regression models were created using clinically relevant predictors to assess the independent effect of neonatal age on each outcome.

The study sample contained 102 patients, of who 50 (49.0%) were distracted in the neonatal period. Neonatal MDO patients were more likely to have a cleft palate (86.0% vs 55.8%; P < .001) and present with feeding difficulties (38.0% vs 19.2%; P = .036) that were treated through total parenteral nutrition (26.0% vs 9.6%; P = .030) but otherwise did not have significantly different characteristics compared to non-neonatal patients. The multiple regression models confirmed that neonatal age did not influence any of the study outcomes, although other secondary predictors were found to influence the pLOS, hospital charges, and number of inpatient procedures.

Neonatal MDO was not associated with increased complications. At experienced centers, neonatal status should not be considered a contraindication to treatment.