Delays in Receipt of Immunizations in Low-Birth-Weight Children

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Abstract
Background Studies of very low-birth-weight (VLBW) children discharged from neonatal intensive care units have shown delays in receipt of routine childhood immunizations. However, a recent study of VLBW children in 3 health maintenance organizations found no significant delays in immunizations. Objective To assess the risk of immunization delays for moderately low-birth-weight (MLBW; 1500 g-2499 g) and VLBW (P<.001). Very low-birth-weight children were significantly less likely to be up to date for all immunizations at ages 12 months (odds ratio [OR] = .556;P= .001), 24 months (OR = .439;P<.001), and 36 months (OR = .446;P<.001) compared with normal-birth-weight children. Conclusion Very low-birth-weight children are at risk for immunization delays compared with normal-birth-weight children.