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Factors Influencing the Attendance of Preterm Infants to Neonatal Follow up and Early Intervention Services Following Discharge From Neonatal Intensive Care Unit During First Year of Life in Iran Publisher



Ravarian A1 ; Vameghi R2 ; Heidarzadeh M3 ; Nariman S1 ; Sagheb S4 ; Nori F1 ; Saeedershadi F5 ; Norozi M6
Authors
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Authors Affiliations
  1. 1. Arash Women ‘s Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
  2. 2. Pediatric Neuro-rehabilitation Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  3. 3. Pediatric Health Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
  4. 4. Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  5. 5. Department of Orthotics and Prosthetics, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  6. 6. Social determinants of Health Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Source: Iranian Journal of Child Neurology Published:2018


Abstract

Objective The aim of this study was to determine factors influencing the number of times neonatal intensive care unit admitted preterm infants attend Neonatal Follow up and Early Intervention services (NFEI) during first year of life. Materials &Methods A parent-report questionnaire was administered via phone after the first birthday of preterm infants admitted to the NICU at Arash Hospital, Tehran, for at least 24 h, and who received standard NICU-based therapeutic services, from Apr 2014 to Feb 2015. Data included mother’s age, education, type of pregnancy, history of abortion or premature birth, self-reported post-partum depression, number of children, infant’s gender, birth weight, gestational age, length of stay in the NICU, living area, twin or triplet birth, number of siblings, and the child rank. Number of attending times to services was recorded. Another question addressed the causes of not attending the NFEI services. Results Ultimately, 119 eligible children participated, 51% were girls and whose mean birth weight was 1908±626.7 gr, and average length of NICU stay was 20.1±16.9 d. After multivariate analysis, shorter length of stay in the NICU, lower maternal education, number of children, self-declared lack of awareness about early intervention services, and self-reported lack of referral by a physician were the only factors that continued to be significantly correlated, and in fact, the truly influential ones associated with number of attending times. Conclusion This study has defined some predictors of poor follow up and early intervention service utilization in a high-risk group of infants suggested be addressing and tackling by policymakers. © 2018, Iranian Child Neurology Society. All rights reserved.