Little data are available for the average age of discharge for premature infants. For many years our nursery has had a general policy of early discharge. Our discharge criteria for healthy premature infants are (1) no oxygen requirement; (2) no apnea/bradycardia/desaturations in the absence of methyl-xanthines; (3) ability to take full feedings by nipple; and (4) ability to maintain body temperature in an open crib. Infants are placed in open cribs at 1700-1800 grams.

During a 30 month period (1/92-6/95) records of in-born infants less than or equal to 33 weeks gestation and discharged home were reviewed. Discharge data are shown below. Charts of 72 infants with BW≤1750 grams were reviewed to determine factors which postponed discharge. Need for supplemental oxygen postponed 10% of discharges. Apnea/bradycardia/desaturations postponed 49% of discharges. Slow feeding postponed 56% of discharges. (Some infants had more than one cause which delayed discharge.) Only 8% of infants were discharged as soon as they were able to maintain body temperature in an open crib. Nonetheless, 31% of these infants were discharged with weight≤1900 grams. The timing of discharge of premature infants appears to be governed by neurologic development (resolution of apnea/bradycardia/desaturations and ability to nipple feed). It appears unlikely that the time of discharge of these infants can be advanced significantly. Table

Table 1
Full size table