Short summary

In Denmark nearly 7% of all births occur preterm, which is often associated with long-time hospital treatment. When the infants are clinically stable, but still in need for gavage feeding neonatal homecare (NH) can be provided. Studies have shown positive effects of NH. Thus, there are still infants being readmitted during NH. This study will evaluate the safety of NH in Denmark and can contribute to finding the most optimal way to perform NH across the Danish hospitals.

Rationale

The primary aim is to identify predictors for readmission during NH and to determine the best time for preterm infants to be enrolled in the NH-programmes. As a secondary aim, the study will be descriptive data on breastfeeding rates at end of NH and at one month of corrected age also associated to time of enrollment to NH. In addition, the study will investigate the types of NH provided in Denmark in relation to breastfeeding and readmissions.

Description of the cohort

The cohort will include approximately data from 3000 infants discharged from the Neonatal department to NH in the period 2016-2021. The patients will be identified in already existing NH databases at the participating neonatal departments.

Data and biological material

Baseline data such as gestational age, birthweight, mode of delivery, sex and information on number of infant (singleton pregnancy) will be collected from existing NH databases. Among readmitted infants, data on readmission diagnoses, treatment, time since the need of oxygen-treatment and Peyona, and time without monitoring before NH will be registered. Furthermore a questionnaire will be sent to the NICU's with the aim of making sub analyses on the criteria for the infant's health before enrolment to NH, and the clinical practice of NH and type on contact during NH during the study period.

Collaborating researchers and departments

Department of Neonatology, H.C.Andersen Children's Hospital OUH

• MD, PhD and Professor Gitte Zachariassen

Department of Neonatology, Herlev Hospital

Department of Neonatology, Hvidovre Hospital

Department of Neonatology, Aalborg University Hospital

Department of Neonatology, Juliane Marie Centret, Rigshospitalet

Department of Neonatology, Aarhus University Hospital