Contribution of a Nurse Consultation in the Follow-up of At-risk Newborn at Maternity Discharged

The postnatal period is a critical phase involving important physiological, psychological and social changes. In 2013, WHO recommends at least three postnatal contacts on day 3, between days 7 and 14, and six weeks after birth. Despite these recommendations, pediatric emergency department (PED) visits for newborns are constantly increasing. Some studies have shown that most of these visits were related to nonserious diseases, mainly due to a lack of knowledge and information. At the same time, some high-risk newborns have been identified as likely to be admitted to PED and subsequently hospitalized. All these findings highlight the great need for education and parental support by health staff from the time of maternity discharged, particularly when certain high-risk conditions are identified.

In France, guidelines on maternity discharge after childbirth include pediatric nurses as professionals involved in postnatal follow-up. Pediatric nurses could be a crucial actor in the follow-up of at-risk newborn, in collaboration with other health professionals and contribute to a reduction in PED visits and/or hospitalization in first weeks of life.

Inclusion criteria

• All at-risk newborns addressed to nurse consultation after discharge from maternity hospital.
• All at-risk newborns discharged home after hospitalization at birth in the neonatal medicine department.

Exclusion criteria

• Newborns discharged with home hospitalization
• Consultation for hearing screening, blood testing or injection (vaccines or palivizumab).
• Newborns referred by pediatrics department, PED or by exterior professionals.
• Non-at-risk newborns hospitalized for other reasons (biological anoxia, early neonatal bacterial infection, transient tachypnea, monitoring)