Predictors of length of stay for initial hospitalization in infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

OBJECTIVE: Longer initial hospitalizations for preterm infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) can delay family bonding and attainment of developmental milestones, increase the risk for hospital acquired complications, and increase healthcare costs. The goal of the study was to identify the characteristics associated with longer lengths of hospitalization in this high-risk population.

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective analysis was performed on 660 children (born ≤32 weeks gestation) discharged from 13 Maryland NICUs recruited into an outpatient BPD registry.

RESULT: The mean age of discharge was 4.3 ± 2.9 months (median: 3.7 months). Subjects born with lower birthweights and covered by public insurance had longer lengths of hospitalization. Clinical characteristics at discharge associated with longer initial hospitalizations included gastrostomy tube, mechanical ventilation, tracheostomy, pulmonary hypertension, and supplemental oxygen.

CONCLUSION: Identifying the risk factors associated with longer lengths of stay could prompt the implementation of personalized in-hospital interventions to improve outcomes and minimize length of stay in infants with BPD.