Carseats for premies less than 5 pounds

[PremieOne]

My NICU and several others in my area are having problems trying to find a car seat company that produces car seats that will hold premies that weigh

[littleneoRN]

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!

[TiffyRN, BSN, PhD]

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.

[NICURN29]

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

Some corificeats 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 corificeat is not appropriate if it is impossible to get the straps tight enough for the baby to be secured. If the corificeat is past the expiration date, we advise them of this, but I believe we can't require them to get a new one.

[dawnclnc]

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

[dawngloves, BSN, RN]

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

Ever try and get a carbed on short notice?

[dawnclnc]

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.

[dawngloves, BSN, RN]

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.