How much does a minimum weight at discharge delay discharge from the neonatal intensive care unit?

R. K. Desai, M. Bhola, S. Ronis, R. M. Ryan

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Current American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines recommend discharge at physiologic maturity regardless of weight; however, our institution's neonatal ICU policy requires a minimum weight of 1800g for discharge even when infant is physiologically mature. So, we wanted to determine if discharge at physiologic maturity (PM), based on national guidelines, would decrease hospital days (HD). METHODS: We reviewed 129 infants with birthweight 1300g- 1800g. Data were analyzed by paired t-test/ Wilcoxon-rank-sum test. RESULTS: Age at discharge vs. age at PM was 0.55d per infant higher (P-value 0.033) resulting in 71 total HD. For SGA babies, this difference was 1.47d vs 0.19d in non-SGA babies (P- value 0.0243) and this difference was an average of 2.63d (P-value <0.001) for those who reached PM <1800g, contributing to 50 of 71 HD potentially saved. CONCLUSION: There was a 0.55-2.6-day difference between age at discharge and age at PM, greater in SGA infants and infants who reached PM prior to 1800g. There might be an opportunity to send infants home earlier to their families if there is no minimum weight required.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)453-459
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine
Volume16
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 11 2023

Keywords

  • discharge planning
  • early discharge
  • family-centered care
  • physiologic maturity (PM)
  • Prematurity
  • small for gestational age (SGA)

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

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