Original Article

Journal of Perinatology (2008) 28, 368–376; doi:10.1038/jp.2008.9; published online 21 February 2008

Perinatal characteristics and parents' perspective of health status of NICU graduates born at term

V Schiariti1,2, A F Klassen3, J S Houbé1,4, A Synnes1,4, S Lisonkova4 and S K Lee5

  1. 1Department of Pediatrics, Sunny Hill Health Centre, British Columbia Children's Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
  2. 2Department of Health Care and Epidemiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
  3. 3Department of Pediatrics, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
  4. 4Department of Pediatrics, Centre for Health Innovation and Improvement, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
  5. 5Integrated Centre for Care Advancement through Research, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada

Correspondence: Dr V Schiariti, Department of Pediatrics, Sunny Hill Health Centre, British Columbia Children's Hospital, University of British Columbia, Room S112C, 3644 Slocan Street, Vancouver, BC V5M 3E8, Canada. E-mail: vschiariti@cw.bc.ca

Received 29 August 2007; Revised 18 December 2007; Accepted 4 January 2008; Published online 21 February 2008.

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Abstract

Objective:

 

Long-term outcomes of preterm infants have been extensively studied, but few studies have examined long-term outcomes of term infants who require neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Our objectives were to assess perinatal characteristics and health status of preschool age term babies using data from a population-based study of NICU graduates.

Study Design:

 

Retrospective cross-sectional survey. All babies were born in 1996 to 1997 in BC (Canada). The Health Status Classification System Preschool (HSCS-PS) questionnaire was completed by parents at 42 months of age. HSCS-PS was grouped in four categories (neurosensory, learning, motor and quality of life). Logistic regression was used to identify perinatal risk factors associated with moderate/severe problems at 42 months of age.

Result:

 

Completed surveys were received for 261 term NICU survivors and 393 control children. Term infants represent 32% of all NICU admissions. Mean birth weight of NICU graduates was 3458 g (s.d.=600 g). Median length-of-stay in NICU was 5 days. At 42 months, the NICU group had significantly more problems on the HSCS-PS as compared to the full-term healthy infants in neurosensory, motor and learning/remembering. Moderate/severe health status problems were associated with congenital anomalies (odds ratio (OR), 3.2; confidence interval (CI): 1.3 to 7.8); smoking status (OR, 2.7, CI: 1.1 to 6.6) and SNAP score (OR, 1.04; CI: 1.0 to 1.1).

Conclusion:

 

Term babies admitted to NICUs may have significant health issues in childhood. Greater attention needs to be paid to long-term outcomes of term NICU graduates. Further study is warranted to address which NICU term survivors warrant secondary and/or tertiary-level neurodevelopmental follow-up.

Keywords:

neonatal intensive care unit, term birth, outcomes, health status, neonatology

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