Variations in length of stay among surviving preterm infants admitted to neonatal intensive care units in Shenzhen, China.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The global preterm birth rate is currently around 10%, making it a major contributor to both neonatal mortality and long-term health complications. Length of stay (LOS) in hospital is a key metric when assessing the quality of medical care for preterm infants. Therefore, a comprehensive analysis of LOS in preterm infants, along with the identification of associated risk factors, is essential in order to improve clinical outcomes and optimize healthcare strategies.

Objective

This study examined the LOS and total hospitalization costs of preterm infants admitted to neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in three hospitals in China . The study also investigated the factors affecting the LOS and total hospitalization costs of surviving preterm infants admitted to NICUs.

Methods

This is a retrospective analysis of preterm infants born between January 2020 and December 2023 who were admitted to one of three participating tertiary care centers within one week after birth. Baseline characteristics, LOS, and hospitalization costs were described and summarized. Generalized linear models were utilized to estimate adjusted associations between LOS and various factors.

Results

This study included 2,887 preterm infants. The median total LOS was 10 days (interquartile range (IQR): 7-20), and the median total hospitalization cost was RMB ¥16,287.3 (IQR: ¥10,541.9-32,342.3). Both LOS and hospitalization costs decreased significantly with increasing gestational age (GA) and birth weight (BW). Infants at 34 to 36+6weeks' gestation had a 68% shorter LOS compared to those at <28 weeks (relative risk (RR) 0.32, 95% confidence interval (CI) [0.27-0.38]). Similarly, infants with BW ≥ 2,500 g had a 54% shorter LOS than those <1,000 g (RR 0.46, 95% CI [0.39-0.54]).

Conclusion

Low GA, low BW, maternal hypertension, low Apgar score , small for GA (SGA), bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), sepsis, and extrauterine growth retardation were associated with prolonged hospitalization.

SUBMITTER: Rao D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12697294 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature