Comparison of short-term outcomes of 35-weeks’ gestation infants cared for in a level II NICU vs mother-baby, a retrospective study

• DOI: 10.3233/npm-221015
• Publication Date: 2022-05-31T16:22:33Z
• Authors: K.E.D. Weimer; M. Bidegain; S.K. Shaikh; P. Couchet; D.T. Tanaka; K. Athavale
• Keywords: Infant, Newborn; Infant; Mothers; Gestational Age; 3. Good health; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Pregnancy; Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; Humans; Female; 10. No inequality; Infant, Premature; Retrospective Studies

Late preterm infants are at high risk for medical complications and represent a growing NICU population. While 34-weeks' gestation generally admitted to the 36-weeks'gestation stay in mother-baby, there is wide practice variation 35-weeks'gestation infants. The objective of this study was compare short-term outcomes 35-weeks' born two hospitals within same health system (DUHS), where one (DRH) admits all their level II other (DUH) unless clinical concern.We conducted retrospective cohort analysis DUHS from 2014-2019. Infant specific data were collected birth, demographics, medications, therapies, LOS, ED visits readmissions. each hospital (DRH vs DUH) that met inclusion criteria compared, regardless unit(s) care.726 identified, 591 our (DUH -462, DRH -129). Infants discharged more likely receive therapies (caffeine, antibiotics, blood culture, phototherapy, NGT), had 4 day longer but feed exclusively MBM discharge. There no differences visits; however, DUH readmitted 30 days discharge.Our findings suggest admitting directly increases interventions might reduce