Abstract
Background: Infants born at 34+0 through 36+6 weeks gestation have been defined as 'late preterm' infants1. It is not clear whether these babies can be managed on the post natal ward or routinely need to be admitted to the neonatal unit after birth.
Aim: To conduct national survey of admission practice for late preterm infants directly to Postnatal Ward (PNW) after birth.
Method: A structured telephone survey of all neonatal units in England.
Results: Out of the 184 neonatal units 180 responded (98%). Of the 4 non responders 2 were from Level 1, and one each from Level 2 and Level 3 units. The details of neonatal units, gestational age (GA) & B Wt limit for direct PNW admission after birth are presented in Table 1. Significantly lower gestational age infants were admitted directly to PNW in level 2 units compared to Level 1 (p 0.03; CI 0.03-0.52) and Level 3 units compared to Level 2 (p 0.02; CI 0.028-0.211). Mean B Wt limit for direct PNW admission was significantly lower in Level 3 units compared to Level 1 (p 0.011; CI 0.028-0.211).
Conclusion: Type of neonatal unit influences the lower limit of B Wt and gestational age of late preterm infants admitted directly to PNW after birth.
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Reference
Engle et al. Pediatrics 2007.
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Arora, P., Price, R., Fleming, P. et al. Does the Type of Neonatal Unit Influence the Birth Weight and Gestational Age of Late Preterm Infants Admitted to Post Natal Ward after Birth?. Pediatr Res 70 (Suppl 5), 607 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1038/pr.2011.832
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/pr.2011.832