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Spanish survey on follow‐up programmes for children born very preterm
Author(s) -
PallásAlonso Carmen Rosa,
Loureiro Begoña,
De la Cruz Bértolo Javier,
García Pilar,
Ginovart Gemma,
Jiménez Ana,
Martín Yolanda,
Soriano Javier,
Torres María José,
Vento Máximo
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
acta paediatrica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.772
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1651-2227
pISSN - 0803-5253
DOI - 10.1111/apa.14647
Subject(s) - medicine , pediatrics , low birth weight , family medicine , population , birth weight , gestation , health services , pregnancy , environmental health , genetics , biology
Aim To describe variations in practice between follow‐up programmes for very preterm children born at less than 32 weeks' gestation or with very low birth weight of less than 1,500 g. Methods A survey on follow‐up practices was electronically distributed to level II and III units among hospitals of the Spanish National Health Service in 2016. The survey included 70 questions covering issues such as follow‐up organisation and resources, routine assessments, relationships with other services and families, information management and training. Results The response rate was 91.5% (141/154). Among respondents, 70.9% (100/141) reported that they do provide follow‐up and 42% do so up to six years of age. Routine neurological and ophthalmological follow‐up is not performed in 60% and 37% of hospitals, respectively, and a second hearing assessment is not given in 62%. Just 38% of units have psychologist. In 41% of hospitals, training in follow‐up skills is not included in Paediatric Residency training programme. Conclusion Although Spain has a nationwide health system that provides universal health coverage, we found that follow‐up care for children born very preterm/very low birth weight is not equitable. Nearly half of paediatric residents receive no training in follow‐up for this high‐risk population.