FACTORS INFLUENCING PREDISPOSITION TO SERIOUS ILLNESS IN LOW BIRTH WEIGHT INFANTS

Abstract

Serious illness requiring rehospitalization of low birth weight infants following discharge from the nursery was related to four specific sociomedical factors. These were failure of the mother to receive prenatal care, absence of the father from the home, receipt of public assistance, and presence of other children in the home. These factors formed the basis of a weighted prognostic index, permitting prospective assignment of a score to each low birth weight infant. Those at highest risk of inadequate follow-up care and rehospitalization were identified prior to discharge from the nursery. This may permit direction of intensive medical nursing and social services toward this high risk group.