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Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed 2005;90:F337-FF338 doi:10.1136/adc.2005.071530
  • Original article

Social deprivation and admission for neonatal care

  1. D Manning1,
  2. B Brewster1,
  3. P Bundred2
  1. 1Neonatal Unit, Wirral Hospital, Arrowe Park, Wirral, Merseyside CH49 5PE, UK
  2. 2Department of Primary Care, Whelan Building, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3GB, UK
  1. Correspondence to:
    Dr Manning
    Neonatal Unit, Wirral Hospital, Arrowe Park, Wirral, Merseyside CH49 5PE, UK; donal.manningwhnt.nhs.uk
  • Accepted 3 February 2005

Abstract

Objective: To determine whether social deprivation is associated with neonatal unit admission.

Setting: English district general hospital.

Method: Retrospective review of neonatal unit admission records between 1990 and 2002.

Results: There was a linear increase in admission rates with increasing deprivation. The admission rate was 6.1% of live births for infants in the most affluent quartile compared with 11.1% for those in the most deprived quartile. Admission rates for all indications except jaundice and feeding problems increased with increasing deprivation.

Conclusion: Social deprivation correlates strongly with neonatal morbidity and the need for neonatal unit admission. This finding has implications for professionals in public health and primary and secondary care.

Footnotes

  • Competing interests: none declared

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