Abstract
Objective This study aimed to assess interaction effects between gestational age and birth
weight on 30-day unplanned hospital readmission following discharge from the neonatal
intensive care unit (NICU).
Study Design This is a retrospective study that uses the study site's Children's Hospitals Neonatal
Database and electronic health records. Population included patients discharged from
a NICU between January 2017 and March 2020. Variables encompassing demographics, gestational
age, birth weight, medications, maternal data, and surgical procedures were controlled
for. A statistical interaction between gestational age and birth weight was tested
for statistical significance.
Results A total of 2,307 neonates were included, with 7.2% readmitted within 30 days of discharge.
Statistical interaction between birth weight and gestational age was statistically
significant, indicating that the odds of readmission among low birthweight premature
patients increase with increasing gestational age, whereas decrease with increasing
gestational age among their normal or high birth weight peers.
Conclusion The effect of gestational age on odds of hospital readmission is dependent on birth
weight.
Key Points
-
Population included patients discharged from a NICU between January 2017 and March
2020.
-
A total of 2,307 neonates were included, with 7.2% readmitted within 30 days of discharge.
-
The effect of gestational age on odds of hospital readmission is dependent on birth
weight.
Keywords
gestational age - hospital readmission - neonatal intensive care unit - neonatology
- birth weight
