Abstract
Prematurity is a risk factor for elevated blood pressure (BP). We performed a mixed-methods study of care patterns and awareness of early BP screening recommendations for infants born prematurely (IBP) by interviewing/surveying providers on practice- and provider-level BP screening. IBP's records were reviewed for BP screening documentation, demographics, and gestational age (GA). Visits <33 months were reviewed for anthropometrics, bp, and comorbidities. chi-square analysis evaluated bp screening by ga and comorbidities. twenty-six of 49 practices completed interviews; 81% had infant bp equipment available; 4% had bp measurement protocol for ibp. twenty-eight of 86 providers were aware of screening guidelines; none reported routine assessment. twenty-eight of 118 ibp had ≥1 bp documented; 43% had bp ≥90th percentile. screening did not differ by ga group. kidney-related diagnosis was associated with more frequent bp screening (p=".0454)." bp is not routinely measured though often elevated before age 3 in ibp. prematurity is a risk factor for elevated blood pressure (bp). we performed a mixed-methods study of care patterns and awareness of early bp screening recommendations for infants born prematurely (ibp) by interviewing surveying providers on practice- and provider-level bp screening. ibp's records were reviewed for bp screening documentation, demographics, and gestational age (ga). visits><33 months were reviewed for anthropometrics, bp, and comorbidities. chi-square analysis evaluated bp screening by ga and comorbidities. twenty-six of 49 practices completed interviews; 81% had infant bp equipment available; 4% had bp measurement protocol for ibp. twenty-eight of 86 providers were aware of screening guidelines; none reported routine assessment. twenty-eight of 118 ibp had ≥1 bp documented; 43% had bp ≥90th percentile. screening did not differ by ga group. kidney-related diagnosis was associated with more frequent bp screening (p=".0454)." bp is not routinely measured though often elevated before age 3 in ibp.>
