Hospitalization of very low birth weight children at school age.

Abstract

To assess whether very low birth weight (VLBW) increases the risk of hospitalization at school age. Prospective, multisite cohort study. Selected from a previous multisite, hospital-based trial, 611 VLBW children, and, from a prior representative sample, 724 children who weighed 1501 to 2500 gm and 533 who weighed > 2500 gm. All the children were re-contacted at 8 to 10 years of age for this study. Maternal interview with the use of standardized questions. Hospitalization in year before interview. The VLBW children were three or four times more likely to be rehospitalized than children of normal birth weight, both in the year before the interview (7% vs 2%) and since birth (50% to 60% vs 22%). Morbidity and Medicaid coverage increased the risk of hospitalization in the year before the interview; non-white race decreased it. After control for other factors, however, lower birth weight remained a significant risk factor for hospitalization. The VLBW children continue to have an increased risk of hospitalization; the risk is similar in magnitude to that seen in infancy.