Genetic disorders and congenital malformations in pediatric long-term care

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to gain insight into the contribution of genetic disorders and congenital malformations to residents of a pediatric long-term care and rehabilitation center.

Design: Record review.

Setting: The setting was a 136-bed long-term care and rehabilitation center in New York City.

Participants: Participants were residents who spent 1 day or longer as in-patients at the center over a 1-year period of time.

Measurements: Resident diagnoses were categorized as problems with known genetic basis, problems with presumed genetic basis, acquired disorders with genetic predisposition, contiguous gene syndromes, multiple congenital anomalies, prematurity, cerebral palsy, hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, conditions with unknown etiology, and defined conditions without genetic basis. The percentage of individuals with genetic disorders and/or congenital malformations was determined.

Results: Genetic disorders and congenital anomalies were responsible for 50% of overall admissions and 60% of end-of-life care admissions to a pediatric long-term care center.

Conclusion: An understanding of the contribution of genetic disorders and congenital malformations can assist long-term care administrators as they plan for the needs of their future residents.