A Retrospective Study of Early Discharge and Outcomes of Pre-Term Infants from a Tertiary Care Centre in Rohtas, Bihar

Early Discharge and Outcomes of Pre-Term Infants

Abstract

Background: In developing countries parents want early discharge of infants. Preterm infants are at risk of several morbidities if stayed long in hospital. There are different policies for discharge and most rely on achieving a weight of 2000 grams. Recent studies have emphasized the role of physiological parameters to discharge preterm infants. The objective of this study was to find out the outcomes of early discharge of pre-term infants from a tertiary care centre in Rohtas, Bihar. Subjects and Methods: This study was a retrospective study. The data was collected from all ex pre-term infants (gestation<34 weeks at birth) admitted in this NICU between 1st January, 2017 to 31st December, 2018. They were stratified in two groups based on gestation at birth: Group I (n= 70: 26-29 weeks, Group II (n=234): 30-34 weeks. The outcome measure was re-admission and/or mortality within 4 weeks after discharge of all the eligible infants. The reasons for re- admission or mortality were also recorded. Results: The mean (SD) duration of stay was 42.518 vs 1512 days in group I vs II infants. Two and six infants were re-admitted within four weeks after discharge in group I and group II respectively. Conclusion: Early easy home discharge for preterm infants born <34 weeks can be done and it is safe and feasible. Large prospective clinical trials are required to confirm these advantages of early home discharge of preterm infants.