NEONATOLOGY: Factors influencing predisposition to serious illness in low birth weight infants

Abstract

Both retrospective and prospective studies of low birth weight infants born at Harlem Hospital and discharged to their mothers showed high rates of serious illness requiring rehospitalization during the first 9 months of life to be related to specific sociomedical factors. These factors were utilized in forming the following weighted prognostic index: Thus a maximum score of 5 would indicate an infant at highest risk, and a minimum score of 0 lowest risk. In both series, infants scoring 4 and 5 had three times the rehospitalization rate of those infants who scored 0, 1 and 2 (p < 0.05). Infants scoring 3 occupied an intermediate position. By prospective assignment of a score to each low birth weight infant, those at highest risk of inadequate follow-up care and rehospitalization may be identified prior to discharge from the nursery so that intensive medical, nursing and social services can be directed toward this high-risk group.