title: Individualized follow up programme and early discharge in term neonates.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Early discharge of mother/neonate dyad has become a common practice, and its effects are measured by readmission rates. We evaluated the safety of early discharge followed by an individualized Follow-up programme and the efficacy in promoting breastfeeding initiation and duration.
  
  
  METHODS
  During a nine-month period early discharge followed by an early targeted Follow-up was carried out in term neonates in the absence of weight loss <10% or hyperbilirubinaemia at risk of treatment. Follow-up visits were performed at different timepoints with a specific flow-chart according to both bilirubin levels and weight loss at discharge.
  
  
  RESULTS
  During the study period early discharge was performed in 419 neonates and Follow-up was carried out in 408 neonates (97.4%). No neonates required readmission for hyperbilirubinaemia and dehydration during the first 28 days of life. Breastfeeding rate was 90.6%, 75.2%, 41.5% at 30, 90 and 180 days of life, respectively. A six-month phone interview was performed for 383 neonates (93.8%) and satisfaction of parents about early discharge was high in 345 cases (90.1%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Early discharge in association with an individualized Follow-up programme resulted safe for the neonate and effective for breastfeeding initation and duration.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Division of Neonatology, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Largo A, Gemelli, 8, Rome 00168, Italy. mpia.decarolis@rm.unicatt.it.
authors.forename: Maria Pia
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: De Carolis
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cocca
authors.forename: Elisabetta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Valente
authors.forename: Serafina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lacerenza
authors.forename: Serena Antonia
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Rubortone
authors.forename: Antonio Alberto
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Zuppa
authors.forename: Costantino
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Romagnoli
mesh_terms: D001663:Bilirubin / Q000097:blood; D001835:Body Weight; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care; D005246:Feedback; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D016519:Hospitals, Religious; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007558:Italy; D010290:Parents; D010351:Patient Discharge; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D047929:Term Birth
chemical_list: D001663:Bilirubin