Rehospitalization of the very-low-birth-weight infant. A continuum of perinatal and environmental morbidity
M. Hack, D. DeMonterice, I. R. Merkatz, P. Jones and A. A. Fanaroff
To evaluate ongoing morbidity, a prospective follow-up study was undertaken
of the frequency and causes of rehospitalization of very-low-birth-weight
infants (less than 1,500 g) during the first year of life. In 1977, 90
very-low-birth-weight infants were discharged after an average of 62 days'
hospitalization. Thirty required rehospitalization on 51 occasions during
the first year, for reasons including continuing care of chronic conditions
related to the initial neonatal hospitalization (16), respiratory and other
infections (14), inguinal herniorrhaphy (13), caretaking disorders (five),
and other causes (three). Infants at highest risk for rehospitalization
included those with chronic conditions and/or those with poor
neurodevelopmental outcomes. These data reconfirm the continuing toll of
perinatal morbidity among very-low-birth-weight infants and emphasize the
medical and social responsibility for a systematic program of follow-up for
these high-risk infants.
