Is it correct to correct?
SBI Incidence in Ex-Preterm Presenting to ER, Especially with Chronological-age >90 Days but Corrected Below

Introduction: Serious bacterial infections (SBI) is a challenging diagnosis in infants younger than 3 months old with incidence of 2%-15%. While robust protocols are available for Term infants younger than 90 days old, most protocols exclude preterm infants. Even more challenging is the approach to children whose chronological age is above 90 days but their corrected gestational age is below 3 months.

Objective: To examine the incidence of SBI in ex preterm presenting to the emergency department in their first year of life.

Methods: Retrospective cohort, included 448 very preterm infants (23-31 weeks) who were born between January 2010 and August 2019.

Results: Of the 448 ex preterm children with gestational age between 23-31 weeks in the study, 121 admissions to the emergency department due to infectious etiology were recorded. 4 cases of IBI (3.3%) and 15 of SBI (12.4%) were recorded, Urinary tract infection (UTI) was the most common diagnosis. Thirty-four (28.1%) admissions were early preterm children. In this group, 4 IBI (11.76%) and 8 SBI (23.52%) were recorded, likewise UTI was the most common diagnosis. In early preterm children with IBI and SBI, white blood cell abnormalities were observed in 3 of 8 cases (37.5%). Elevated CRP levels were recorded in 6 of 8 (75%). Bronchiolitis was the most common non serious bacterial infection with similar incidence in both groups.

Conclusion: Early ex preterm children carry a significantly increased risk of SBI and IBI in comparison to the Term infants and even to the Late ex preterm children.