Factors Influencing the Age at Discharge of Very Low Birth Weight Preterm Neonates From a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in Eastern India: A Cohort Study

Objective: To study factors that influence the age of discharge of very low birth weight (VLBW) preterm neonates from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Setting: This cohort study was conducted in the NICU, Department of Pediatrics, Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhubaneswar, India, from April 2019 to December 2019. Patients: Neonates whose birth weight was <1500 g and gestation <37 weeks were enrolled. Those having major congenital malformation were excluded. Outcome: Age at discharge (in days). Results: Out of 114 neonates enrolled, 84 neonates completed the study and discharged, 29 neonates died during the study, and one patient left against medical advice. Demographic, antenatal, neonatal factors, and mother's participation in care of the baby were compared with respect to age at discharge in univariate analysis. Those found significant on univariate analysis were subjected to multivariate analysis. In the multivariate analysis model two independent predictors were observed, birth weight and gestation, which were inversely related to age at discharge. Conclusion: Birth weight and gestation are the two most important factors which significantly influence the age at discharge from hospital of VLBW preterm neonates.