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Birth Weight Gradient in Parent-Reported Special Healthcare Needs among Children Born Preterm

Jaclyn Havinga1, Dmitry Tumin1, Leslie Peedin1

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC; James and Connie Maynard Children's Hospital, Vidant Medical Center, Greenville, NC.

The Journal of Pediatrics
|November 17, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Very low birth weight (VLBW) preterm infants have a significantly higher likelihood of special healthcare needs (SHCN). However, their healthcare needs were met, unlike other groups.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Health
  • Neonatalogy
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Preterm birth is a significant risk factor for adverse child health outcomes.
  • Birth weight is a critical determinant of neonatal health and development.
  • Special healthcare needs (SHCN) impact a substantial portion of the pediatric population.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between birth weight and the prevalence of special healthcare needs (SHCN) in children born prematurely.
  • To examine the relationship between birth weight and unmet healthcare needs in preterm infants.
  • To compare healthcare needs and service utilization across different birth weight categories in preterm and term-born children.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of data from the 2016-2017 National Survey of Children's Health.
  • Inclusion of children aged 0-5 years, categorized by prematurity and birth weight (very low birth weight [VLBW], low birth weight [LBW], normal birth weight [NBW]).
  • Multivariable analysis to assess odds of SHCN and unmet healthcare needs, with term-born NBW children as the reference group.

Main Results:

  • Children born preterm with VLBW showed a significantly higher likelihood of SHCN (OR, 9.8) compared to term-born NBW children.
  • Preterm infants with LBW (OR, 2.5) and NBW (OR, 1.6) also had increased odds of SHCN, but to a lesser extent.
  • No significant differences in the odds of unmet healthcare needs were observed among the four study groups.

Conclusions:

  • Preterm birth, particularly VLBW, is strongly associated with a high prevalence of SHCN in young children.
  • Despite the increased likelihood of SHCN, the healthcare needs of VLBW preterm infants appear to be adequately met, according to caregiver reports.
  • Further research may explore the specific services contributing to met needs in this high-risk population.
Abstract

Keywords:
National Survey of Children's Healthdevelopmental outcomeslow birth weightneonatal morbidityneurodevelopmental impairmentprematurityspecial healthcare needsvery low birth weight

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