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, unadjusted and adjusted for differential cohort attrition, of parent-reported infant health outcomes. Methods Of 3891 live births in 1996, 2572 (66%) were recruited into the study. Data were collected by health visitors as part of routine child health surveillance, at 8 weeks using the Warwick Child Health and Morbidity Profile (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 rates 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 weeks. There was differential attrition by social group between enrolment and 8 weeks. Nineteen (95% confidence intervals (CIs) 14,24)/1000 infants were reported as not very healthy/unhealthy, 12 (95% CIs 8,16)/1000 as having impaired health-related quality of life and 11 (95% CIs 7,15)/1000 impaired functional health. Chronic illness had a period prevalence rate of 19 (95% CIs 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 75,99)/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 mortality, hospital admissions end specific diagnoses. This is the first report of health and illness experience during infancy in a whole year birth cohort based on a validated measure of parent-reported health status incorporated into the Parent Held Record and administered by the family health visitor as part of routine child health surveillance. These data give a more comprehensive picture of infant health and illness experience than traditional measures and provide the basis for infant health needs assessment.