Acute care visits and rehospitalization in women and infants after cesarean birth

J Perinatol. 1994 Jan-Feb;14(1):36-40.

Abstract

This study, conducted as a randomized clinical trial, focuses on acute care visits and rehospitalizations of mothers whose infants were delivered by cesarean section (n = 122) and infants (n = 123) for 8 weeks after hospital discharge. There were three maternal rehospitalizations. Maternal acute care visits were for wound infections or complications (27 of 34); 21 occurred in the first 4 weeks. Seventy-five percent of infant rehospitalizations were for infection or possible infection; 22 of 31 infant acute care visits occurred in first 4 weeks for bilirubin checks and infant care problems, and 21 of 25 visits in weeks 5 to 8 were for infections. Discharge teaching and home care in first 4 weeks after discharge and issues related to infant infections in the second 4-week period may reduce the need for rehospitalizations and acute care visits in both mothers who had cesarean section and their infants.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Cesarean Section* / adverse effects
  • Female
  • Home Care Services*
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infections / therapy
  • Patient Readmission*
  • Pregnancy
  • Puerperal Disorders / therapy*
  • Surgical Wound Infection / therapy