Length of Stay, Jaundice, and Hospital Readmission

Discharge at any time < 72 hours significantly increases the risk for readmission to hospital and the risk for readmission with hyperbilirubinemia when compared with discharge after 72 hours. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that infants discharged < 48 hours should be seen by a health care professional within 2 to 3 days of discharge. Our observations, as well as those of others, suggest that this recommendation should also be extended to those discharged at < 72 hours after birth. One approach to decreasing the risk of morbidity and readmission, particularly from hyperbilirubinemia, would be to help mothers to nurse their infants more effectively from the moment of birth.