Rehospitalization of very preterm infants in the first year of life.: Comparison of 2 groups:: 1997 and 2002

Objective. - The aim of the study was to compare the rehospitalization rate in the first year of life between 2 groups of very preterm infants born on 1997 and 2002; then we compared the very preterm infants' rehospitalization rate between our retrospective 1997 group and literature (including French cohort Epipage). Patients and methods. - Our retrospective study included all neonates born <= 33 GA, living in Gironde, discharged from neonatal unit at children's hospital of Bordeaux on 1997 and 2002 and rehospitalized during their first year of life. Results. - Respectively 29.1% and 30.1% premature infants were rehospitalized (at least once) in 1997 and 2002 (38.2% in Epipage cohort, no statistical difference). Mean number of rehospitalizations was 1.66 in 1997 and 1.77 in 2002. Mean duration of rehospitalization was 11.8 days in 1997 and 16.8 days in 2002. These data showed no statistical difference between 1997 and 2002. Respiratory disease was the first reason of rehospitalization. Several factors were correlated with an increase risk of rehospitalization: birth weight less than 1000 g, chronic lung disease and gestational age less than 28 weeks at birth (only in 2002 cohort). Conclusion. - Rehospitalization rate remained stable between 1997 and 2002 whereas during this period of time, the gravity of these preterm infants had increased. The use of specific hospital discharge procedure represents a real benefit for premature infants. It must be continued after the discharge with the establishment of a strong network with the implication of parents, infants, hospital and city health workers. It may contribute to limit the very premature babies' rehospitalization rate. (c) 2005 Elsevier SAS. Tons droits reserves.