Re: Carseats for premies less than 5 pounds

If there is a program (hospital auxiliary, perhaps?) that provides car seats for indigent pts, see if you can get a carbed or 2 out of that deal.

Re: Carseats for premies less than 5 pounds

Originally Posted by littleneoRN

We occasionally send home in car bed, typically for kids with ongoing respiratory or apnea issues or fairly small for discharge (1400-1700 grams). We will try a second car seat test a few days later, but if they're ready to go home from all other standpoints, we give them a carbed. Much cheaper than an unwarranted hospital stay.

You really send home 1400gm kids?! We never even send home IUGR 35 weekers at that weight!

Re: Carseats for premies less than 5 pounds

If they can eat, gain weight consistently, stay warm in a crib, and no other issues, they get to go. No weight limit. Now, we all know that most kids at 1400 grams are less than competent at a least one of the above criteria. 1400 grams would be the rarity, usually a near term baby with significant IUGR. But I can think of more than one just offhand that I've seen go at this weight. As a parent, I think I would be peeing my pants taking somebody that small home!

Re: Carseats for premies less than 5 pounds

Originally Posted by dawngloves

You really send home 1400gm kids?! We never even send home IUGR 35 weekers at that weight!

It's a rarity, but I have heard of it happening for conditions such as Seckel's Syndrome. I don't have the figures in front of me, but I seem to remember that their mean weight at term is 1200 grams.

Re: Carseats for premies less than 5 pounds

We are not permitted to tell parents they can't use a five pound and up carseat on a baby less than five pounds, as long as they pass the carseat tolerance test. We do use blanket rolls to provide a better fit.

Some carseats are labeled to start at "birth," instead of a pound weight. These would be more appropriate for a little peanut like that. We only tell a parent that a carseat is not appropriate if it is impossible to get the straps tight enough for the baby to be secured. If the carseat is past the expiration date, we advise them of this, but I believe we can't require them to get a new one.

Re: Carseats for premies less than 5 pounds

A carbed is a lot cheaper than an additional day in the NICU

Re: Carseats for premies less than 5 pounds

Originally Posted by dawnclnc

A carbed is a lot cheaper than an additional day in the NICU

Ever try and get a carbed on short notice?

Re: Carseats for premies less than 5 pounds

Yeap FedEx works great for overnight. However, If your NICU population serves LBW infants then I would suggest having DC planning keeping one or two around to help expidite DC process. Most stays in the NICU will cost at least $1200/day. You can do the math.

Re: Carseats for premies less than 5 pounds

Yeah, but insurance won't pay for a carbed.They definately won't pay $80+ to have it shipped overnight. They will pay for a NICU stay until a neonate reaches a desirable weight.