The Readmission of Preterm Infants of 30-33 Weeks Gestational Age within 1 Year Following Discharge from Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in Korea

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to evaluate the readmission rate of preterm infants of 30-33 weeks gestational age (GA) within 1 year following discharge from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). METHODS: This research was a part of the Retrospective Study to Evaluate Rehospitalization & Health Care Utilization after NICU Discharge in Preterm Infants (< or =33 weeks) II (RHANPI II) project conducted by the Committee on Data Collection and Statistical Analysis of the Korean Society of Neonatology. Enrolled infants (n=1,257) of 46 hospitals from April to September 2012, were retrospectively studied. RESULTS: The average GA and birth weight of the study population was 32(+2)+/-1(+1) weeks and 1,785+/-386 g, respectively. The cumulative readmission rate during the 360 days following discharge from the NICU was 27.3%. The cumulative readmission rate according to GA was 36.4%, 30.1%, 25.9% and 22.7% for infants born at 30, 31, 32 and 33 weeks GA, respectively. The corresponding respiratory readmission rate was 16.3%; this was 59.8% of total readmissions. There was no significant difference in the respiratory readmission rate according to GA group (log-rank test for trend, P-value=0.0558). Of the infants who were readmitted with respiratory problems, 57.0% (n=53/93) tested positive for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). CONCLUSION: The cumulative readmission rate during the 360 days following discharge from the NICU was 27.3%. Respiratory problems were the most common cause of readmission, and RSV was the most common virus associated with respiratory readmission. Additionally, there was no difference in the rate of respiratory readmission according to GA group.