Healthcare access and adverse family impact among U.S. children ages 0–5 years by prematurity status

Abstract Background Many children and their families are affected by premature birth. Yet, little is known about their healthcare access and adverse family impact during early childhood. This study aimed to (1) examine differences in healthcare access and adverse family impact among young children by prematurity status and (2) determine associations of healthcare access with adverse family impact among young children born prematurely. Methods This was a secondary analysis of cross-sectional 2016 and 2017 National Survey of Children’s Health data. The sample included 19,482 U.S. children ages 0–5 years including 242 very low birthweight (VLBW) and 2205 low birthweight and/or preterm (LBW/PTB) children. Prematurity status was defined by VLBW (i.e.,