Emergency department visits and rehospitalizations in late preterm infants

Abstract

The number of late preterm newborns (gestational age 34 to 36 weeks) is increasing in the United States and Canada. The appearance of these newborns may give a false sense of security about their well-being to practitioners and parents alike. Neonatology literature has begun to address this issue; however, there is paucity of information regarding health concerns of these newborns after discharge from the nursery. The authors reviewed their experience in the emergency department (ED) of a large pediatric institution over a 1-year period, comparing morbidity in late preterm infants with term infants. Late preterm infants comprise a significant proportion of newborn visits to the ED. Certain problems occur more frequently in these infants, including the need for intensive care.