Parent-reported infant health and illness in a whole year birth cohort

Objective To describe parent-reported infant health and illness experience at 8 weeks. Setting Coventry. Study design Prospective whole year birth cohort. Outcome measures Period prevalences (birth to 8 weeks) and incidences, unad justed and adjusted for differential cohort attrition, of parent-reported i nfant health outcomes. Methods Of 3891 live births in 1996, 2572 (66%) were recruited into the stu dy. Data were collected by health visitors as part of routine child health surveillance, at 8 weeks using the Warwick Child Health and Morbidity Profi le (WCHMP) incorporated into the Parent Held Record. Period prevalences and incidences of parent-reported health outcomes in the first 8 weeks of life were calculated with and without adjustment for the effects of different r ates of cohort attrition by sociodemographic group. Results Data were collected on 2572 infants at recruitment. Health outcome data were available on 2072 (53% of all 1996 live births) infants at 8 week s. There was differential attrition by social group between enrolment and 8 weeks. Nineteen (95% confidence intervals (CIs) 14,24)/1000 infants were r eported as not very healthy/unhealthy, 12 (95% CIs 8,16)/1000 as having imp aired health-related quality of life and 11 (95% CIs 7,15)/1000 impaired fu nctional health. Chronic illness had a period prevalence rate of 19 (95% CI s 14,24)/1000. Sixty-six (95% CIs 55,77)/1000 had acute illnesses requiring medical attention and 43 (95% CIs 34,52)/1000 were admitted to hospital at least once. More minor illness than expected was reported in 87 (95% CIs 7 5,99)/1000. The incidence rate of accidents requiring medical attention was 16 (95% CIs 9,21)/1000. Behavioural problems had a prevalence rate of 78 ( 95% Cis 66,90)/1000. Conclusions Infant health status data have traditionally been based on mort ality, hospital admissions end specific diagnoses. This is the first report of health and illness experience during infancy in a whole year birth coho rt based on a validated measure of parent-reported health status incorporat ed into the Parent Held Record and administered by the family health visito r as part of routine child health surveillance. These data give a more comp rehensive picture of infant health and illness experience than traditional measures and provide the basis for infant health needs assessment.