Factors associated with the follow-up of high risk infants discharged from a neonatal intensive care unit

Seung Hyun Shin; Jin A Sohn; Ee-Kyung Kim; Seung Han Shin; Han-Suk Kim; Jin A Lee

doi:10.1016/j.pedneo.2022.02.004

Pediatrics and Neonatology (Jul 2022)

Factors associated with the follow-up of high risk infants discharged from a neonatal intensive care unit

Seung Hyun Shin,
Jin A Sohn,
Ee-Kyung Kim,
Seung Han Shin,
Han-Suk Kim,
Jin A Lee

Affiliations

Seung Hyun Shin: Department of Pediatrics, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
Jin A Sohn: Department of Pediatrics, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea; Department of Pediatrics, Seoul Metropolitan Government Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, Seoul, South Korea; Corresponding author. Department of Pediatrics, Seoul Metropolitan Government Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, 20 Boramae-ro 5-gil, Dongjak-gu, Seoul 07061, South Korea.
Ee-Kyung Kim: Department of Pediatrics, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
Seung Han Shin: Department of Pediatrics, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
Han-Suk Kim: Department of Pediatrics, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
Jin A Lee: Department of Pediatrics, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea; Department of Pediatrics, Seoul Metropolitan Government Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, Seoul, South Korea

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pedneo.2022.02.004
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 63, no. 4
pp. 373 – 379

Abstract

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Background: The study aimed to identify factors associated with compliance to follow-up (FU) appointments among infants following their discharge from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Methods: This retrospective cohort study reviewed 657 infants (birth weight <1500 g or gestational age [GA] <32 weeks), born between 2011 and 2015. A total of 525 eligible infants were classified into two groups: the compliant group (n = 360), who attended clinics from 18 to 24 months, and the non-compliant group (n = 165), who were lost to FU before 18 months. Results: The non-compliant group was more likely to have higher usage rate of assisted reproductive technology (p = 0.023), GA (p < 0.001), weight (p < 0.001), height (p < 0.001), and head circumference (p < 0.001) at birth. The sibling number was higher in the non-compliant group (p = 0.011). Moreover, the non-compliant group demonstrated higher Apgar scores at 1 min and 5 min (p = 0.002 and p = 0.031, respectively). The compliant group was more likely to live in metropolitan or larger cities with a borderline significance (p = 0.056).Furthermore, the non-compliant group was less likely to suffer from respiratory distress syndrome (p < 0.001), patent ductus arteriosus (p = 0.002), retinopathy of prematurity (p = 0.007), necrotizing enterocolitis (p = 0.019), and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (p < 0.001). Moreover, it demonstrated lower postmenstrual age at discharge (p = 0.005) and a shorter length of stay in the NICU (p < 0.001). The compliance with FU appointment varied with the assigned doctor (p < 0.001).The multivariate regression analysis mentioned that the birth weight (OR = 0.903), residence in metropolitan or larger cities (OR = 1.495), and an experience of magnetic resonance imaging (OR = 1.920) were associated with compliance. The compliance to FU appointments was different according to the assigned doctor at admission (OR = 0.357). Conclusion: The birth weight, residence in metropolitan or larger cities, an experience of MRI, and the assigned doctors were associated with compliance to FU at a corrected age of 18–24 months.

Published in Pediatrics and Neonatology

ISSN: 1875-9572 (Print); 2212-1692 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: Netherlands
LCC subjects: Medicine: Pediatrics
Website: https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/pediatrics-and-neonatology

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