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Factors contributing to neonatal readmissions to a level 4 hospital within 28 days after birth
Author(s) -
Jarrett Olivia,
Gim Daeun,
PuuseppBenazzouz Helen,
Liu Anthony,
Bhurawala Habib
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
journal of paediatrics and child health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.631
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1440-1754
pISSN - 1034-4810
DOI - 10.1111/jpc.15970
Subject(s) - medicine , odds ratio , confidence interval , logistic regression , gestational age , obstetrics , pediatrics , retrospective cohort study , incidence (geometry) , pregnancy , genetics , physics , optics , biology
Aim To identify maternal and neonatal factors associated with neonatal readmissions. Methods A case controlled, cross‐sectional, retrospective review of neonatal readmissions within 28 days from birth to a level 4 hospital in Western Sydney was conducted from January to December 2018. Maternal and neonatal factors for readmission were assessed. A control group of 122 neonates were randomly selected. Comparative statistics and logistic regression analysis were used to analyse the data. Results Of the 3914 neonatal discharges following birth, there were 129 neonatal readmissions (3.3%). Following regression analysis, gestational age (odds ratio 0.82, 95% confidence interval 0.7–0.97, P = 0.02) and intrapartum intravenous (IV) fluids (odds ratio 2.78, 95% confidence interval 1.66–4.67, P < 0.001) were associated with readmission. The majority of readmissions were feeding‐related (72.9%). Of these readmissions, 29.8% had feeding concerns noted by nursing or midwifery staff during the initial hospital stay. During the initial hospital stay following birth, neonatal feeding issues were significantly associated with primiparous mothers ( P = 0.005). Mothers who did not receive IV fluids during labour were also more likely to experience feeding issues ( P = 0.015). Conclusion Our findings indicate that hospital discharge prior to established feeding patterns may be associated with an increased incidence of neonatal readmission. The factors associated with neonatal readmission are earlier gestational age and intrapartum IV fluid administration. These findings suggest that more comprehensive feeding assessment prior to discharge, flexibility of discharge timing and increased community support may reduce neonatal readmission.