Readmission in Neonatal Period among the Normal Full-term Neonates

Choi, Eun Jeong; Hong, Su Young

Abstract

PURPOSE:This study was conducted to analyse the characteristics of the full-term neonates admitted in neonatal period and to evaluate the relationship between readmission and perinatal, maternal factors.
METHODS
We studied retrospectively the neonatal readmissions who were born in Il Sin Christian Hospital during the 18-months period (January 1, 2007 to June 30, 2008).
RESULTS
After discharge, 415 neonates were readmitted during the first month of life. The most common cause for readmission was jaundice (82.7%). Among them, 211 (61.5%) neonates were fully breast feeding and 119 (34.7%) were mixed feeding infants. The second cause was rota enteritis (6.3%). Others included dehydration (4.1%), suspected sepsis (3.1%), other enteritis (1.7%), pneumonia (0.7%), cardiac problem (0.5%), meningitis (0.5%), urinary tract infection (0.2%), and other urinary problem (0.2%). There were no significant relationships between readmission and neonatal, maternal factors.
CONCLUSION
While newborns discharged from hospital are at risk for readmission, but relationship among neonatal, maternal, and other factors are not proven. Education of risk factors for jaundice to parents should be done and prevention of hospital acquired infection is important. Further research should include relationships between neonatal, maternal factors and the other factors influencing neonatal readmission.