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Updated: Jun 28, 2025
Preterm EEG: A Multimodal Neurophysiological Protocol
Published on: February 18, 2012
Observational study showed that using video consultations was a viable way of delivering an early discharge programme
Linn Jahren Gustavsen1,2, Flore Le Marechal1, Bente Silnes Tandberg1,3
1Department of Paediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Drammen Hospital, Vestre Viken Hospital Trust, Drammen, Norway.
Insights
Early discharge programs using video consultations are effective for preterm infants. This approach ensures infant growth, maintains breastfeeding rates, and enhances parental confidence and satisfaction with home care.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal care
- Pediatric health
- Telemedicine applications
Background:
- Preterm infants require specialized post-discharge care.
- Traditional follow-up models can be resource-intensive.
- Video consultations offer a potential solution for remote neonatal monitoring.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate an early discharge program for preterm infants utilizing video consultations.
- To assess the safety, efficacy, and parental satisfaction with this innovative healthcare service.
Main Methods:
- A prospective homecare program was implemented for preterm infants.
- Data collected included readmissions, length of stay, infant growth, and breastfeeding rates.
- Parental satisfaction was assessed via surveys, with retrospective data for comparison.
Main Results:
- 72 preterm infants and 128 parents participated.
- Infants discharged early showed adequate growth (Z-score increase).
- High exclusive breastfeeding rates (75%) were maintained, and 96% of parents reported high satisfaction.
Conclusions:
- Video consultations provide a viable and effective healthcare service for preterm infants post-discharge.
- This model supports adequate infant growth and maintains breastfeeding rates.
- Parents reported feeling safe and satisfied with home care facilitated by video consultations.
Aim:
The aim of this study is to evaluate an early discharge programme with video consultations for preterm infants.
Methods:
A homecare programme for preterm infants was developed. Prospective data on readmissions, length of stay, growth, breastfeeding rates, and parent self-reports about satisfaction were collected from April 2021 to August 2023. Additionally, retrospective data were collected from the Norwegian Neonatal Network Central Database from 2020.
Results:
Preterm infants, 72 and parents, 128 were included. The infants were discharged from the hospital at a median of 35 + 6 (34 + 0-42 + 4) weeks postmenstrual age. The median length of stay in the program was 18 days (3-37). There were four readmissions. The Z-score of infant weight slightly increased during the follow up, with a mean of 0.16. By discharge, 75% of the infants were exclusively breastfed. Growth and breastfeeding rates were in line with retrospective data (85 infants). The response rate of the parents to the survey was 61 (52%). Overall, the parents (n = 54) were highly satisfied (96%). The video consultations contributed to ensuring parents to feel safe in caring for their infant at home.
Conclusion:
Follow up by video consultations is a viable healthcare service for preterm infants, the infants' growth is sufficient, breastfeeding rates are maintained, and parents feel safe and satisfied.
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