J Perinatol. 2023 Dec 28. doi: 10.1038/s41372-023-01858-3. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Term infants born to mothers with chorioamnionitis are at risk for early-onset sepsis (EOS). We aimed to measure the impact of changing from a categorical to a modified-observational EOS screening approach on NICU admission, antibiotic utilization, and hospitalization costs.
STUDY DESIGN: Single-center retrospective pre-post cohort study of full-term infants born to mothers with chorioamnionitis. Primary outcomes included NICU admission, antibiotic utilization, and hospitalization costs. Outcomes were adjusted for demographic variables. Budget-impact analysis was performed using bootstrapping with replication.
RESULTS: 380 term infants were included (197 categorical; 183 modified-observational). There was a significant decrease in NICU admission and antibiotic utilization (p < 0.05) in the modified-observational cohort but no significant difference in per-patient total hospitalization costs. Budget-impact analysis suggested a high probability of cost savings.
CONCLUSION: A modified-observational approach to evaluating term infants of mothers with chorioamnionitis can reduce NICU admission and unnecessary antibiotic therapy, and may lead to cost-savings.
PMID:38155229 | DOI:10.1038/s41372-023-01858-3
