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Follow-Up of Low Birth Weight Preterm Infants After Hospital Discharge: Incidence and Reasons for Rehospitalization
Nihal Baysoy1, Sultan Kavuncuoğlu2, Mehmet Gökhan Ramoğlu3
1Department of Pediatrics, Kanuni Sultan Süleyman Education and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
Insights
Low birth weight (LBW) preterm infants rehospitalized after NICU discharge experienced significant delays in growth and neurodevelopment. Birth weight and gestational age were key factors influencing rehospitalization risk.
Area of Science:
- Neonatalogy
- Pediatric Medicine
- Developmental Pediatrics
Background:
- Low birth weight (LBW) preterm infants face increased risks post-discharge.
- Understanding rehospitalization patterns is crucial for optimizing outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the frequency and indications for rehospitalization in LBW preterm infants.
- To assess the impact of rehospitalization on somatic growth and neurodevelopment up to one year corrected age.
Main Methods:
- Prospective follow-up of LBW preterm infants discharged from NICU until one year corrected age.
- Comparison of rehospitalized infants (study group) with non-rehospitalized infants (control group).
- Analysis of rehospitalization frequency, duration, etiology, and influencing factors (neonatal complications, surgery, socio-demographics).
Main Results:
- Rehospitalization was more frequent in males (39.7% vs. 28.9%).
- Common rehospitalization indications included hyperbilirubinemia-anemia, anemia-surgery, and pulmonary-other infections at different time points.
- Somatic growth and neurodevelopment were significantly delayed in the rehospitalized group.
Conclusions:
- Birth weight and gestational week are primary determinants of rehospitalization in LBW preterm infants.
- Rehospitalized preterm infants exhibit significant somatic and neurodevelopmental deficits despite follow-up care.
Objectives:
The rehospitalization frequency/indications of low birth weight (LBW) preterms and the effect of rehospitalization on growth and neurodevelopment were investigated.
Methods:
LBW preterms discharged from NICU were prospectively followed until the corrected age of 1 year. Infants rehospitalized after discharge were defined as the study group and those not rehospitalized as the control group. The frequency, duration and etiology of rehospitalization were investigated and the effects of neonatal complications, surgery and socio-demographic status on rehospitalization were assessed.
Results:
The study and the control group included 113 and 217 infants, respectively. Infants in the study group were rehospitalized 247 times in total. Rehospitalization was significantly higher in the male gender (39.7% vs. 28.9%, p < 0.05). Hyperbilirubinemia-anemia, anemia-surgery and pulmonary-other infections were the most common indications for rehospitalization in the 0-14 days, 15 days to 2 months and 2-12 months, respectively. Intrauterine growth had no impact on rehospitalization. Somatic growth and neurodevelopment were significantly delayed in the study group (p < 0.05).
Conclusion:
Birth weight and gestational week are the most important determinants of rehospitalization. Rehospitalized preterm infants have significant deficits in both somatic growth and neurodevelopment despite high-quality follow-up care.
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