Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 15, 2025
Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
Published on: August 25, 2014
Early discharge of first-time parents and their newborn: A scoping review
Victoria Lindblad1, Pernille S Gaardsted2, Dorte Melgaard3,4
1Department of Gynecology, Pregnancy and Childbirth, North Denmark Regional Hospital, Hjørring, Denmark.
Insights
Early discharge for new mothers and infants is influenced by parental education, information, and support systems. More research is needed to understand the outcomes of early postpartum discharge.
Area of Science:
- Perinatal Health
- Maternal-Newborn Outcomes
- Healthcare Policy
Background:
- Early discharge policies for mothers and newborns are increasingly common.
- Evidence on factors influencing outcomes of early discharge is fragmented.
- Understanding these factors is crucial for optimizing maternal and infant well-being.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify evidence on factors influencing outcomes of early discharge for healthy first-time mothers and newborns.
- To synthesize findings from existing literature on early postpartum discharge.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive scoping review methodology was employed.
- Systematic database searches and grey literature searches were conducted.
- Data from 14 included studies were summarized and thematically analyzed.
Main Results:
- Key influencing factors identified include parental education, perinatal information, support systems, and follow-up strategies.
- Outcomes potentially affected by early discharge include breastfeeding, parental experience, and newborn readmission rates.
- Heterogeneity in study methodologies limits the generalizability of findings.
Conclusions:
- A significant gap exists in the literature regarding the outcomes of discharge within 24 hours after birth.
- Future research with robust methodologies is required.
- Standardized criteria, context, and intervention definitions are needed for future studies on early discharge.
Introduction:
This scoping review aims to identify the evidence and the factors influencing the outcomes of early discharge of both healthy first-time mothers and newborns.
Methods:
Systematic searches were conducted using four databases up to February 2021, and a search for grey literature was performed. A total of 2030 articles were identified and reduced to 13 articles, and one article was added through chain search in reference lists. The aims of the identified studies, the methodology, participants, inclusion and exclusion criteria, and the setting, context, and findings are summarized.
Results:
A total of 14 studies were included. A thematic analysis identified the following factors influencing the outcomes of discharge within 24 hours after birth: parental education in pregnancy, perinatal information before discharge, sources of support, and follow-up strategies after discharge. Also, the analysis identified outcomes such as breastfeeding, parents' experience and readmission of the newborn that may be influenced when first-time parents are discharged within 24 hours after birth. Findings in this review highlight the importance of identifying factors and outcomes related to early discharge. However, because of the heterogeneity in methodology, terminology and assessment procedures used in the retrieved articles, the generalization of study results is limited.
Conclusions:
A gap in the literature about the outcomes of discharge within 24 hours after birth has been identified. Future studies with strong evidence are needed, defining criteria, context, and intervention.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:31Discharge Summary Forms
Here's a detailed look at the key components and guidelines for preparing a discharge summary:
00:55Parental Care
01:26Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion
01:21Planning Nursing Care I
01:20Attachment