Discharging Infants of Low Birth Weight

Abstract

Physiological and social criteria were used in discharging 170 newborns weighing 2,268 gm (5 lb) or less at birth from the hospital at an average weight of 2,062 gm (4 lb 8¾ oz). Criteria for discharge did not include attainment of any specific weight. Mean hospital stay was 12 days. Follow-up of 167 infants revealed that none had died within two months of discharge. The rationale for reducing length of hospitalization is to expedite, encourage, and thereby enhance early maternal-infant relationships. Reducing the risk of hospital-associated infection, and economy in nursing time and dollar savings are fortuitous by-products. We question widespread practices regarding length of hospitalization of low-birth-weight infants.