Agami-Micha S, Iglesias-Leboreiro J, Bernárdez-Zapata I, Rendón-Macías ME

Language: Spanish
References: 10
Page: 71-76
PDF size: 71.34 Kb.

ABSTRACT

Objective: To analyze the medical conditions at discharge of preterm infants hospitalized for more than three weeks in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
Patients and methods: A cohort of 116 patients hospitalized in 2009 and 2010 was reviewed in his length of stay and medical condition and treatments at discharge.
Results: The median of length of stay was 30 days (rank 21 to 130). Only 18% (21/116) were discharged without any medical treatment. Breastfeeding was accomplished in 64% (75/116) of the patients, although in 97% was complemented with an infant formula. The most frequent medication given at discharge was for gastroesophageal reflux disease (61%), followed by respiratory medical support (30%) and physical therapy (28%). In 15% (18/116) medication for renal tubular acidosis was required, and it was associated to a prolonged length of stay in very low birth weight infants.
Conclusions: A great number of preterm infants hospitalized in an NICU are discharged with multiple medical treatments. A judicious reduction in the medical prescriptions is necessary to diminish the workload of the parents at home.

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