%0 Journal Article %T Variabilidade do risco do tempo de perman¨ºncia ajustado para lactentes de muito baixo peso ao nascer entre centros da Neocosur South American Network %A Marshall %A Guillermo %A Luque %A Maria J. %A Gonzalez %A Alvaro %A D¡äApremont %A Ivonne %A Musante %A Gabriel %A Tapia %A Jose L. %J Jornal de Pediatria %D 2012 %I Sociedade Brasileira de Pediatria %R 10.1590/S0021-75572012000600013 %X objectives: to develop a prediction model for hospital length of stay (los) in very low birth weight (vlbw) infants and to compare this outcome among 20 centers within a neonatal network. methods: data from 7,599 infants with birth weights of 500-1,500 g born between the years 2001-2008 were prospectively collected. the cox regression model was employed to develop two prediction models: an early model based upon variables present at birth, and a late one that adds relevant morbidities for the first 30 days of life. results: median adjusted estimated los from birth was 59 days £¿ 28 days after 30-day point of survival. there was a high correlation between models (r = 0.92). expected/observed los varied widely among centers, even after correction for relevant morbidity after 30 days. median observed los (range: 45-70 days), and postmenstrual age at discharge (range: 36.4-39.9 weeks) reflect high inter-center variability. conclusion: a simple model, with factors present at birth, can predict a vlbw infant's los in a neonatal network. significant variability in los was observed among neonatal intensive care units. we speculate that the results originate in differences in inter-center practices. %K length of stay %K discharge timing %K hospital stay %K very low birth weight infants. %U http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_abstract&pid=S0021-75572012000600013&lng=en&nrm=iso&tlng=en