title: Factors responsible for the prolonged stay of surgical neonates in intensive care units.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The length of hospital stay (HS) for patients is a major concern due to its social, economic and administrative implications; this is particularly important for neonates admitted to intensive care units (ICUs). This study aimed to determine the factors responsible for prolonged HS in surgical neonates.
  
  
  METHODS
  This retrospective study was conducted at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, in Muscat, Oman. The medical records of 95 neonates admitted to the neonatal ICU who underwent general surgical procedures between July 2009 and June 2013 were reviewed. Mann-Whitney U and Pearson's Chi-squared tests were used for non-parametric numerical and categorical variables, respectively. A multiple regression analysis was performed to find a relationship between the variables and to detect the most important factor responsible for prolonged HS. A P value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Gestational age, birth weight, number of days on a ventilator and postoperative morbidity were associated with prolonged HS. Furthermore, the age of neonates at first full enteral feed was associated with increased HS using both independent and multiple regression analyses.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Prolonged HS can occur as a result of many factors. In this study, a number of factors were identified, including low gestational age, low birth weight, increased number of days on a ventilator and postoperative morbidity. Additionally, neonate age at first full enteral feeds also correlated with increased HS. Further research on this topic is suggested to explore this correlation in more detail and to inform future practices.
authors: Departments of Surgery, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman.
authors: Khalid M
authors: KM
authors: Bhatti
authors: Departments of Surgery, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman.
authors: Zainab N
authors: ZN
authors: Al-Balushi
authors: Departments of Surgery, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman.
authors: Mahmoud H
authors: MH
authors: Sherif
authors: Departments of Surgery, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman.
authors: Sareyah M
authors: SM
authors: Al-Sibai
authors: Child Health, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman.
authors: Ashfaq A
authors: AA
authors: Khan
authors: Child Health, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman.
authors: Mazen A
authors: MA
authors: Mohammed
authors: Child Health, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman.
authors: Maria F
authors: MF
authors: Batacalan
authors: Child Health, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman.
authors: Cheryl C
authors: CC
authors: Montemayor
authors: Child Health, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman.
authors: Mohammad
authors: M
authors: Fazalullah
authors: Child Health, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman.
authors: Masood
authors: M
authors: Ahmed
authors: Child Health, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman.
authors: Mathew
authors: M
authors: Kripail
authors: Child Health, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman.
authors: Asad
authors: A
authors: Ur-Rahman
authors: Child Health, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman.
authors: Zenaida
authors: Z
authors: Reyes
authors: Child Health, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman.
authors: Mohamed
authors: M
authors: Abdellatif
keywords: Length of Stay; Morbidity; Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU); Neonates; Oman