Factors associated with length of stay in a neonatal intensive care unit in Iran

Abstract

Background: The length of stay (LOS) is a useful indicator of health and prediction of the LOS in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) has drawn increasing attention over the past years. Objectives: To determine factors associated with infant's LOS in the NICU in Bandar Abbas city, Southern Iran, between 2016 and 2017. Method: This cohort study reviewed 603 medical records of all NICU admitted newborns. Data were collected using data collection forms. The Cox multiple hazards regression model determined the factors associated with the infant's LOS. Data was analysed using SPSS, version 21. The significance level was set at 0.05. Results: The median LOS in NICU was 9 days. The results of multiple Cox proportional hazards regression model showed that type of feeding, umbilical and central venous catheterization, mechanical ventilation, nosocomial infection, acute renal failure, blood transfusion, and antibiotic therapy were significantly associated with LOS in the NICU (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The type of feeding, umbilical and central venous catheterization, mechanical ventilation, nosocomial infection, acute renal failure, blood transfusion, and antibiotic therapy were significantly associated with LOS in the NICU.