The development and implementation of a specialised care plan for late preterm and small for gestational age neonates admitted in maternity settings

Abstract

Introduction

While there is recognition that Late preterm (LP) and small for gestational age (SGA) neonates have complex needs, reports on pragmatic approaches to optimise the care of these infants in practice are limited.

Aim

To implement and evaluate a specialised care plan to support the provision of optimal care to LP and SGA neonates admitted on maternity wards.

Methods

A specialised care plan was implemented in a pre-post interventional study. Data were collected on neonates’ characteristics, hypoglycaemic incidents, and hypoglycaemia that led to a Neonatal Intensive Care admission.

Results

Approximately 10% of neonates born in the pre and post intervention periods were LP or SGA. Neonatal hypoglycaemic events reduced from six pre-intervention to three events post-intervention. Instances of neonatal hypoglycaemia that led to Neonatal Intensive Care admission reduced from three pre-intervention to one post-intervention.

Conclusion

The specialised care plan was effective in optimising care for LP and SGA neonates.