Causes and Risk Factors of Hospitalization Among Infants Less than Six Months Old in Tehran

Background: Hospitalization exposes young infants to a high-risk environment. The aim of this study was to identify the reasons and risk factors associated with infant hospitalization. Methods: Healthy infants of 6 to 24 months of age were recruited from outpatient clinics of university hospitals. Data collected from parents by trained personnel. Risk factors were compared between children hospitalized between 1 - 6 months of life (Group A), with those without hospitalization history (group B). Results: A total of 1046 infants were participated in this study. Mean age was 13.3 months and 49.9% were females; 192 infants had been hospitalized as neonates, and 121 from 1 to 6 months. The Most common reasons for admission during the infancy period were proven or presumed sepsis, and respiratory (36.3%) or gastrointestinal problems (33%). There was a significant difference in hospitalization rate among infants in whom breastfeeding was discontinued before three months in comparison with those breastfed for at least three months, (30.1% vs. 8.1%, respectively, P = 0.000). This condition were similar for breast discontinuation from three to six months and after six months (24.1% vs. 8%, P = 0.000). Also, low birth weight, university education and maternal education less than nine years were statistically significant between group A and B. Conclusions: Based on our data, low birth weight, discontinuation of breastfeeding and low levels of maternal education are identified as risk factors for infant hospitalization.