title: Transitions in the early-life of late preterm infants: vulnerabilities and implications for postpartum care.
abstract: The focus of this article is on the transition of late preterm infants from hospital to home. The current state of literature related to mortality, morbidities, emergency department visits, and rehospitalization underscores the vulnerability of late preterm infants following discharge from hospital. Universal provision of postpartum care to late preterm infants is viewed as an environmental support intended to facilitate transition of these vulnerable infants from hospital to home. Gaps in provision of postpartum care of late preterm infants are situated within the discussion of guidelines and models of postpartum care (home vs clinic) of late preterm infants.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Nursing, University of Calgary, and Alberta Health Services, Prenatal and Postpartum Services-Public Health, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. premjis@ucalgary.ca
authors.forename: Shahirose Sadrudin
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Premji
authors.forename: Marilyn
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Young
authors.forename: Carol
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rogers
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Reilly
mesh_terms: D000359:Aftercare / Q000458:organization & administration; D003152:Community Health Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006699:Home Care Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007224:Infant Care / Q000379:methods; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D015931:Intensive Care, Neonatal / Q000458:organization & administration; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017283:Neonatal Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education; D010347:Patient Care Planning / Q000458:organization & administration; D010351:Patient Discharge / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D049590:Postpartum Period