Preventable Infectious Pathology Dominates Neonatal Readmissions: A Retrospective Analysis from a Pediatrics Department in Ploiești, Romania.

Background: Readmission of newborns within the first 28 days after initial discharge represents a significant healthcare concern, causing distress to families and financial burden on healthcare systems. Understanding readmission patterns and risk factors is essential for implementing preventive stra...

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Published in:Children Vol. 13; no. 3; pp. 330 - 343
Main Authors: Popescu, Daniela-Eugenia, Rosca, Ioana, Turenschi, Alina, Miu, Anca, Poenaru, Elena, Constantin, Andreea Teodora, Gorecki, Gabriel-Petre, Nastase, Leonard
Format: research tables/charts Journal Article
Published: MDPI Mar2026
Online Access:View this record in EBSCOhost
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      dt: Mar2026
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      pub: MDPI
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        atl: Preventable Infectious Pathology Dominates Neonatal Readmissions: A Retrospective Analysis from a Pediatrics Department in Ploiești, Romania.
      aug:
        au:
          Popescu, Daniela-Eugenia
          Rosca, Ioana
          Turenschi, Alina
          Miu, Anca
          Poenaru, Elena
          Constantin, Andreea Teodora
          Gorecki, Gabriel-Petre
          Nastase, Leonard
        affil: Department of Obstetrics-Gynecology and Neonatology, "Victor Babeș" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
      sug:
        subj:
          Infection Prevention and Control
          Infection Pathology
          Readmission Evaluation
          Hospitals, Pediatric Romania
          Human
          Male
          Female
          Infant, Newborn
          Retrospective Design
          Nonexperimental Studies
          Prospective Studies
          Apgar Score
          Romania
          Infant, Hospitalized
          Hematologic Tests
          Culture Techniques
          Descriptive Statistics
          Infant, Newborn: birth-1 month
          Male
          Female
      ab: Background: Readmission of newborns within the first 28 days after initial discharge represents a significant healthcare concern, causing distress to families and financial burden on healthcare systems. Understanding readmission patterns and risk factors is essential for implementing preventive strategies. Objective: This retrospective observational study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and characteristics of neonatal readmissions to a pediatric center in Ploiești, Romania, during a 12-month period (1 January 2024–31 December 2024). Methods: We reviewed medical records of all newborns aged 0–28 days admitted to the pediatric hospital after initial discharge from maternity wards. Clinical characteristics, diagnoses, paraclinical findings, and demographic data were analyzed. Results: A total of 131 newborns were readmitted, representing a 1.9% readmission rate, and only the first readmission for each patient was included in the analysis. The majority (60.9%) presented with preventable infectious pathology, including bronchiolitis (18.3%), rhinoconjunctivitis (16%), pyoderma (11.4%), infectious gastroenteritis (8.4%), and COVID-19 infection (6.8%). Males comprised 61.3% of cases, and 74.8% were born via cesarean section. Exclusive breastfeeding rate was 45.8%. Concerningly, two cases (1.5%) presented with measles, reflecting declining vaccination coverage in Romania (the lowest in the European Union at 62%). Conclusions: The predominance of preventable infectious conditions among neonatal readmissions highlights critical gaps in post-discharge care and infection prevention education. The presence of vaccine-preventable diseases underscores the urgent need to address declining immunization rates in Romania. Enhanced parental education on hygiene practices, infection prevention, and improved post-discharge follow-up systems are essential to reduce neonatal morbidity and readmission rates.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype:
        research
        tables/charts
        Journal Article
      ougenre: Article
    language: English
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