PMID: 9647007Jul 1, 1998Paper

Early discharge of premature infants. A critical analysis

Clinics in Perinatology
M Raddish, T Allen Merritt

Abstract

Although significant advances in the medical management of acutely ill preterm infants have resulted in unprecedented rates of survival, issues surrounding the convalescent care, discharge preparation, and readiness of parents or other caregivers have been less well studied and represent the art of medicine. Recent consensus statements provide a degree of content validity; however, important areas of scientific inquiry remain. Much is left to understand about the pathophysiology, management, and outcomes of apnea, bradycardia, and oxygen desaturation episodes continuing at term. Why do the most immature infants have a delay in the maturation of respiratory control? Do breathing studies really provide information that predicts subsequent respiratory control abnormalities? If methylxanthines are used at discharge, what criteria should be adhered to regarding their discontinuation? How is nutrition best provided while transitioning to home? In infants whose mothers desire exclusive breast-feeding, should gavage feeds be used to supplement in order to avoid bottle-feedings? How long should breast milk be fortified, and when should supplemented artificial milks be used and for what period of time postdischarge should these more expe...Continue Reading

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