title: Rehospitalization for respiratory illness in infants of less than 32 weeks' gestation.
abstract: All 133 surviving infants of gestational age less than or equal to 32 weeks born July 1, 1985, to June 30, 1986, as well as a socioeconomically matched full-term control group were observed prospectively for 2 years to determine the incidence of rehospitalization for respiratory illness. Perinatal and seasonal factors associated with increased risk for such hospitalizations were also examined. Forty-seven (36%) preterm infants were rehospitalized compared with 3 (2.5%) of 121 term infants (P less than .001). Preterm infants with and without rehospitalization were similar for mean birth weight (1104 +/- 329 g and 1188 +/- 360 g, respectively) and gestational age (28 +/- 2 weeks for both groups); however, infants who were subsequently rehospitalized had required more days of mechanical ventilation, supplemental oxygen therapy, and neonatal intensive care. While a history of bronchopulmonary dysplasia was a risk factor for rehospitalization (45% compared with 25% of those without bronchopulmonary dysplasia, P less than .05), preterm infants with no history of bronchopulmonary dysplasia still showed a 10-fold increase compared with control infants. Among the 43 infants who required no mechanical ventilation beyond the day of birth, 10 (23%) required rehospitalization.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, State University of New York Health Science Center, Syracuse 13210.
authors.forename: C K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Cunningham
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: McMillan
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Gross
mesh_terms: D001724:Birth Weight; D001997:Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia / Q000453:epidemiology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; D007902:Length of Stay; D010359:Patient Readmission; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012621:Seasons