Journal Article

Inadequate oral feeding as a barrier to discharge in moderately preterm infants

Carlo, Waldemar A, DeMauro, Sara B, Malcolm, William F, Cotten, C Michael, Van Meurs, Krisa P, Saha, Shampa, Carl T D’Angio, Walsh, Michele C, Smith, P Brian, Bell, Edward F, Vohr, Betty R, Edwards, Laura, Shankaran, Seetha, Stoll, Barbara J, Sanchez, Pablo J, Das, Abhik, Goldberg, Ronald, Laptook, Abbot R

2019

Overview

ObjectivesThe objectives describe the frequency that inadequate oral feeding (IOF) is the reason why moderately preterm (MPT) infants remain hospitalized and its association with neonatal morbidities.Study designProspective study using the NICHD Neonatal Research Network MPT Registry. Multivariable logistic regression was used to describe associations between IOF and continued hospitalization at 36 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA).ResultA total of 6017 MPT infants from 18 centers were included. Three-thousand three-seventy-six (56%) remained hospitalized at 36 weeks PMA, of whom 1262 (37%) remained hospitalized due to IOF. IOF was associated with RDS (OR 2.02, 1.66–2.46), PDA (OR 1.86, 1.37–2.52), sepsis (OR 2.36, 95% 1.48–3.78), NEC (OR 16.14, 7.27–35.90), and BPD (OR 3.65, 2.56–5.21) compared to infants discharged and was associated with medical NEC (OR 2.06, 1.19–3.56) and BPD (OR 0.46, 0.34–0.61) compared to infants remaining hospitalized for an alternative reason.ConclusionIOF is the most common barrier to discharge in MPT infants, especially among those with neonatal morbidities.

• Publisher: Nature Publishing Group
• Subject: Baby foods / Discharge / Feeding / Hospitalization / Infants / Neonates / Premature babies / Premature birth / Sepsis