Preterm infant follow up during the first year after hospital discharge: assessing weight-height development

Abstract

doi: 10.5216/ree.v15i2.17427 - http://dx.doi.org/10.5216/ree.v15i2.17247.

ABSTRACT

Child health evaluation is performed by following the child’s growth and development. Therefore, the importance of understating the growth of premature children who remained hospitalized is emphasized. The objective was to describe the growth pattern of premature infants followed in the nursing outpatients clinic during the first year after hospital discharge. In this quantitative, descriptive and retrospective study, data analysis was performed by descriptive statistics using the R. Software. The subjects were 25 preterm infants followed at the preterm infant follow-up outpatient clinic of a teaching hospital in the state of Paraná, between October of 2009 and September of 2010. Cephalometry showed an improved growth profile, with early catch up, followed by a discrete increase in weight and height. The identification of the weight-height growth after hospital discharge provides support to improve health care to this group, aiming interventions for their healthy growth and minimizing possible complications.

Descriptors: Continuity of Patient Care; Infant, Premature; Growth; Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; Pediatric Nursing.