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OBJECTIVES: To examine the association between early discharge from hospital after birth and readmission to hospital for jaundice among term infants, and among infants discharged early, to investigate the perinatal risk factors for readmission for jaundice. METHODS: Birth data for 781 074 term live-born infants born in New South Wales, Australia from 2001 to 2010 were linked to hospital admission data. Logistic regression models were used to investigate the association between postnatal length of stay (LOS), gestational age (GA), and readmission for jaundice in the first 14 days of life. Other significant perinatal risk factors associated with readmission for jaundice were examined for infants discharged in the first 2 days after birth. RESULTS: Eight per 1000 term infants were readmitted for jaundice. Infants born at 37 weeks' GA with an LOS at birth of 0 to 2 days were over 9 times (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 9.43; 95% CI, 8.34-10.67) and at 38 weeks' GA were 4 times (aOR 4.05; 95% CI, 3.62-4.54) more likely to be readmitted for jaundice compared with infants born at 39 weeks' GA with an LOS of 3 to 4 days. Other significant risk factors for readmission for jaundice for infants discharged 0 to 2 days after birth included vaginal birth, born to mothers from an Asian country, born to first-time mothers, or being breastfed at discharge. CONCLUSIONS: This study can inform guidelines or policy about identifying infants at risk for readmission for jaundice and ensure that appropriate post-discharge follow-up is received. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association of gestational age and mode of birth with early child development. METHODS: Population-based record linkage cohort study was conducted among 153 730 live-born infants of ≥32 weeks' gestation with developmental assessments at school age, in New South Wales, Australia, 2002 to 2007. Children were assessed in 5 domains: physical health and well-being, language and cognition, social competence, emotional maturity, and general knowledge and communication. Children scoring in the bottom 10% of national domains were considered developmentally vulnerable, and children developmentally vulnerable for ≥2 domains were classified as developmentally high risk (DHR), the primary outcome. Robust multivariable Poisson models were used to obtain individual and combined adjusted relative risks (aRRs) of gestational age and mode of birth for DHR children. RESULTS: Overall, 9.6% of children were DHR. The aRR (95% confidence interval) of being DHR increased with decreasing gestational age (referent: 40 weeks); 32 to 33 weeks 1.25 (1.08-1.44), 34 to 36 weeks 1.26 (1.18-1.34), 37 weeks 1.17 (1.10-1.25), 38 weeks 1.06 (1.01-1.10), 39 weeks 0.98 (0.94-1.02), ≥41 weeks 0.99 (0.94-1.03), and for labor induction or prelabor cesarean delivery (planned birth; referent: vaginal birth after spontaneous labor), 1.07 (1.04-1.11). The combined aRR for planned birth was 1.26 (1.18-1.34) at 37 weeks and 1.13 (1.08-1.19) at 38 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: Early (at <39 weeks) planned birth is associated with an elevated risk of poor child development at school age. The timing of planned birth is modifiable, and strategies to inform more judicious decision-making are needed to ensure optimal child health and development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]