The appropriateness of early discharge of very low birth weight newborns

Abstract

Preterm newborns may be discharged when clinical conditions are stable and maturity of physiological functions has been gained, but no precise indications on weight and GA to be reached before discharge are available. In our NICU we have observed in the last five years 234 newborns < 32 weeks of GA; we have decided to transfer from incubators at the mean weight of 1737 g, regardless of their GA and birth weight and to discharge at a mean weight of 1966 g, the lowest mean weight in comparison to the other twelve NICUs of the Lazio region. We have analyzed if the major diseases affecting those newborns (RDS, mechanical ventilation, PDA, IVH/PVL, PHH, NEC, ROP, sepsis ) have influenced weight at discharge in 13 NICUs of Lazio region. Conclusions: in our NICU the discharge of ELBW/VLBW preterm newborns < 32 weeks GA and/or < 1500 g can be feasible at a mean weight close to 1900 g. An early transfer from incubator at a mean weight of 1737 g promotes an early discharge from hospital. Major diseases affecting those newborn haven’t influenced weight at discharge.

Keywords::

• very low birth weight
• early discharge
• discharge practice
• mean weight at discharge

Declaration of interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.