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. 2015 Jun 26;10(6):e0130535.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0130535. eCollection 2015.

Association of Gestational Age at Birth with Reasons for Subsequent Hospitalisation: 18 Years of Follow-Up in a Western Australian Population Study

Ravisha Srinivasjois  1 , Claudia Slimings  2 , Kristjana Einarsdóttir  2 , David Burgner  3 , Helen Leonard  2
Affiliations

Association of Gestational Age at Birth with Reasons for Subsequent Hospitalisation: 18 Years of Follow-Up in a Western Australian Population Study

Ravisha Srinivasjois et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

Background: Preterm infants are at a higher risk of hospitalisation following discharge from the hospital after birth. The reasons for rehospitalisation and the association with gestational age are not well understood.

Methods: This was a retrospective birth cohort study of all live, singleton infants born in Western Australia between 1st January 1980 and 31st December 2010, followed to 18 years of age. Risks of rehospitalisation following birth discharge by principal diagnoses were compared for gestational age categories (<32, 32-33, 34-36, 37-38 weeks) and term births (39-41 weeks). Causes of hospitalisations at various gestational age categories were identified using ICD-based discharge diagnostic codes.

Results: Risk of rehospitalisation was inversely correlated with gestational age. Growth-related concerns were the main causes for rehospitalisation in the neonatal period (<1 month of age) for all gestational ages. Infection was the most common reason for hospitalisation from 29 days to 1 year of age, and up to 5 years of age. Injury-related hospitalisations increased in prevalence from 5 years to 18 years of age. Risk of rehospitalisation was higher for all preterm infants for most causes.

Conclusions: The highest risks of rehospitalisation were for infection related causes for most GA categories. Compared with full term born infants, those born at shorter GA remain vulnerable to subsequent hospitalisation for a variety of causes up until 18 years of age.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing Interests: The authors confirm that Dr. David Burgner is one of the authors who is also listed on the PLOS One editorial board. This does not alter the authors’ adherence to PLOS ONE editorial policies and criteria.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. Admission rates (per 100 births) for each diagnosis category at each gestational age strata.
Fig 2
Fig 2. Most common diagnoses associated with perinatal admissions 0–28 days.
Fig 3
Fig 3. Most common diagnoses associated with perinatal admissions 29 days-1year.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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