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 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.