Authors:
Slimings C, Einarsdóttir K, Srinivasjois R, Leonard H
Authors notes:
Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology. 2014;28(6):536-544
Keywords:
Gestational age, hospital admission, adolescence
Abstract:
Infants born moderate to late preterm are twice as likely to be rehospitalised within the first few weeks following discharge from the birth admission.
It is not understood how rehospitalisation risk changes with age or how risks have changed over time.
Rehospitalisation rates were higher up to 18 years for all preterm and early term categories including early term (37-38 weeks); late preterm (34-36 weeks), and post-term (≥42 weeks) compared with term births.
The effect of gestational age on rehospitalisation was highest during the first year of life and declined by adolescence.
The risk of rehospitalisation up to 1 year of age has declined since 1980, except for those born <32 weeks.
Rehospitalisation risk is greater for singleton children born at all gestational ages compared with those born full term.
This effect of gestational age on rehospitalisation is highest in the first year post-discharge, but has almost disappeared by adolescence.