Biomaterial Database

Early discharge of low birthweight infants. 1982

F Lefebvre, and A Veilleux, and H Bard

A study was conducted to see if the discharge weight of preterm infants born at less than or equal to 2000 g could safely be reduced. A study group (21 infants) was discharged 'early' at a mean weight of 2010 g (1890-2190) provided there were no medical problems, weight gain was adequate, temperature control in room air was stable, all feedings were by breast, and the mother was ready to have the baby home. A control group (17 infants) was discharged at a mean weight of 2261 g (2200-2400). The duration of time in hospital for the 'early' group was shortened by 11.6 days. At expected date of delivery the weight of infants in each group was similar (3095 +/- 403 compared with 3146 +/- 453 g); length, head circumference, and haemoglobin concentration in each group were similar too. There was no morbidity or mortality in either group. Early discharge did not affect mothering confidence. This study shows that low birthweight infants can be discharged early (at 2000 +/- 100 g) provided appropriate criteria are met, home conditions are adequate, and follow-up is available.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007230	Infant, Low Birth Weight	An infant having a birth weight of 2500 gm. (5.5 lb.) or less but INFANT, VERY LOW BIRTH WEIGHT is available for infants having a birth weight of 1500 grams (3.3 lb.) or less.	Low Birth Weight,Low-Birth-Weight Infant,Birth Weight, Low,Birth Weights, Low,Infant, Low-Birth-Weight,Infants, Low-Birth-Weight,Low Birth Weight Infant,Low Birth Weights,Low-Birth-Weight Infants
D007231	Infant, Newborn	An infant during the first 28 days after birth.	Neonate,Newborns,Infants, Newborn,Neonates,Newborn,Newborn Infant,Newborn Infants
D007902	Length of Stay	The period of confinement of a patient to a hospital or other health facility.	Hospital Stay,Hospital Stays,Stay Length,Stay Lengths,Stay, Hospital,Stays, Hospital
D008297	Male		Males
D005260	Female		Females
D006128	Growth	Gradual increase in the number, the size, and the complexity of cells of an individual. Growth generally results in increase in ORGAN WEIGHT; BODY WEIGHT; and BODY HEIGHT.
D006699	Home Care Services	Community health and NURSING SERVICES providing coordinated multiple services to the patient at the patient's homes. These home-care services are provided by a visiting nurse, home health agencies, HOSPITALS, or organized community groups using professional staff for care delivery. It differs from HOME NURSING which is provided by non-professionals.	Domiciliary Care,Home Health Care,Care Services, Home,Home Care,Services, Home Care,Care, Domiciliary,Care, Home,Home Care Service,Service, Home Care
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D012924	Social Conditions	The state of society as it exists or in flux. While it usually refers to society as a whole in a specified geographical or political region, it is applicable also to restricted strata of a society.	Living Conditions,Condition, Living,Condition, Social,Conditions, Living,Conditions, Social,Living Condition,Social Condition