Jonathan S Litt1,2, Meghana Agni3, Talia Jacobi-Polishook3, Patrice Melvin4, Marie C McCormick5,6, Jane E Stewart3,5, Mandy B Belfort3,7. 1. Newborn Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA. jlitt@bidmc.harvard.edu. 2. Neonatology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA. jlitt@bidmc.harvard.edu. 3. Newborn Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA. 4. Center for Applied Pediatric Quality Analytics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA. 5. Neonatology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA. 6. Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA. 7. Pediatric Newborn Medicine, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The following are the objectives of this study: (1) Assess the feasibility and acceptability of emailing parent-reported measures of infant health and development after NICU discharge. (2) Examine whether post-discharge questionnaire data helps identify infants most likely to benefit from specialized follow-up care. STUDY DESIGN: Parents of 51 infants <32 weeks' gestation received email questionnaires at 44 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA) and 6 months corrected age (CA). Adverse infant outcomes were assessed in-person at 6 months: (1) Bayley-III cognitive or motor score <85; (2) weight, length, or head circumference <10th percentile; (3) new referral for medical or developmental services. RESULTS: Questionnaire response was 48 (94%) at 44 weeks PMA and 46 (90%) at 6 months CA. 36 (70%) infants were assessed at 6 months; 72% had at least 1 adverse outcome. Poorer transition home, feeding problems, and special health care needs at 44 weeks PMA predicted adverse outcomes. Feeding problems, maternal depression, and lower infant health-related quality of life at 6 months CA correlated with adverse outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Emailed questionnaires after NICU discharge were feasible to implement and acceptable to families. Repeated post-discharge assessments may help identify infants at heightened health and developmental risk.
OBJECTIVES: The following are the objectives of this study: (1) Assess the feasibility and acceptability of emailing parent-reported measures of infant health and development after NICU discharge. (2) Examine whether post-discharge questionnaire data helps identify infants most likely to benefit from specialized follow-up care. STUDY DESIGN: Parents of 51 infants <32 weeks' gestation received email questionnaires at 44 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA) and 6 months corrected age (CA). Adverse infant outcomes were assessed in-person at 6 months: (1) Bayley-III cognitive or motor score <85; (2) weight, length, or head circumference <10th percentile; (3) new referral for medical or developmental services. RESULTS: Questionnaire response was 48 (94%) at 44 weeks PMA and 46 (90%) at 6 months CA. 36 (70%) infants were assessed at 6 months; 72% had at least 1 adverse outcome. Poorer transition home, feeding problems, and special health care needs at 44 weeks PMA predicted adverse outcomes. Feeding problems, maternal depression, and lower infant health-related quality of life at 6 months CA correlated with adverse outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Emailed questionnaires after NICU discharge were feasible to implement and acceptable to families. Repeated post-discharge assessments may help identify infants at heightened health and developmental risk.
Authors: Rose-Marie Lindkvist; Annica Sjöström-Strand; Kajsa Landgren; Björn A Johnsson; Pernilla Stenström; Inger Kristensson Hallström Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-06-15 Impact factor: 3.390