Profile of Back-Referrals to Special Newborn Care Units
Indian Pediatr
;
2022 Jan; 59(1): 46-49
Article
| IMSEAR
| ID: sea-225370
ABSTRACT
Objective:
To study the outcomes of neonates back-referred from a tertiary care centre to special newborn care units (SNCUs) for step-down care.Methods:
This prospective cohort study was conducted at a tertiary care neonatal unit and SNCUs in neighbouring states. We studied preterm and term neonates back-referred to district SNCUs from September, 2018 to April, 2019. The infants were followed up till 3 months corrected age, for mortality, re-hospitalization, emergency visits and unscheduled outpatient visits. Preterm inborn neonates <32 weeks gestation discharged directly to home formed the controls.Results:
201 back-referred neonates (study cohort) and 55 preterm neonates discharged to home (controls) were followed up till 3 months corrected age. Amongst the back-referred neonates, 5% died, 7% required re-hospitalization, 11% made emergency visits, and 24% made unscheduled outpatient visits. These outcomes were similar to the controls.Conclusion:
Back-referral of convalescing neonates is a safe method of utilizing the limited healthcare resources in tertiary care centers in developing country settings.
Full text:
Available
Index:
IMSEAR (South-East Asia)
Journal:
Indian Pediatr
Year:
2022
Type:
Article
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