Disparities and Early Engagement Associated with the 18- to 36-month High-risk Infant Follow-up Visit among Very Low Birthweight Infants in California

• Published in: The Journal of pediatrics 2022-09, Vol.248, p.30-38.e3
• Main Authors: Lakshmanan, Ashwini, Rogers, Elizabeth E., Lu, Tianyao, Gray, Erika, Vernon, Lelis, Briscoe, Heather, Profit, Jochen, Jocson, Maria A.L., Hintz, Susan R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0022-3476; 1097-6833
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2022.05.026

To determine follow-up rates for the high-risk infant follow-up (HRIF) visit at 18-36 months among infants with very low birthweights and identify factors associated with completion. We completed a retrospective cohort study using linked California Perinatal Quality of Care Collaborative neonatal intensive care unit, California Perinatal Quality of Care Collaborative California Children’s Services HRIF, and Vital Statistics Birth Cohort databases. We identified maternal, sociodemographic, neonatal, clinical, and HRIF program level factors associated with the 18- to 36-month follow-up using multivariable Poisson regression. From 2010 to 2015, among 19 284 infants with very low birthweight expected to attend at least 1 visit at 18-36 months, 10 249 (53%) attended. On multivariable analysis, factors independently associated with attendance at an 18- to 36-month visit included estimated gestational age (relative risk [RR], 1.21; 95% CI, 1.15-1.26;