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Lookup NU author(s): Donna Hammal, Professor Louise Parker
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Aims: To study the frequency and associations of early postpartum discharge and infant readmission to hospital. Methods: Infants readmitted to hospital during the first 28 days of life in 1998 in the Northern Region of the UK were studied. Results: A total of 4743 of 11 338 (42%) babies were discharged on or before the first postnatal day. Rates of early discharge varied significantly between hospitals. Infants <2500 g at birth (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 0.44, 95% CI 0.29 to 0.66), infants 35-37 weeks gestation at birth (AOR 0.65, 95% CI 0.49 to 0.86), and firstborn infants (AOR 0.09, 95% CI 0.08 to 0.10) were less likely to be discharged early. Women from more deprived areas were more likely to be discharged early (AOR 1.37, 95% CI 1.12 to 1.67). A total of 907 of 32 015 (2.8%) babies liveborn in the region were readmitted to hospital during 1998. Readmission rates varied significantly by hospital of birth but not by timing of discharge. Babies <2500 g at birth (AOR 1.95, 95% CI 1.16 to 3.28) and babies born at 35-37 weeks gestation (AOR 1.72, 95% CI 1.15 to 2.57) were more likely to be readmitted. Breast fed babies were less likely to be readmitted (AOR 0.69, 95% CI 0.53 to 0.90). Infants initially discharged early were not more likely to be readmitted. Conclusions: Early discharge occurred variably in the Northern Region in 1998. It is not associated with readmission to hospital. Breast feeding is associated with lower rates of readmission to hospital.
Author(s): Oddie SJ, Hammal D, Richmond S, Parker L
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Archives of Disease in Childhood
Year: 2005
Volume: 90
Issue: 2
Pages: 119-124
Print publication date: 01/02/2005
ISSN (print): 0003-9888
ISSN (electronic): 1468-2044
Publisher: BMJ Group
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/adc.2003.040766
DOI: 10.1136/adc.2003.040766
PubMed id: 15665161
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