Prenatal consultation with a neonatologist prior to preterm delivery.
OBJECTIVE
Evaluate the usefulness of prenatal consultation with a neonatologist before preterm birth.


METHODS
A questionnaire was administered to mothers 1 week before home discharge of their preterm infant in a single regional level III neonatal intensive care unit.


RESULTS
Sixty-seven mothers completed the questionnaire; 84% indicated the consult was useful and 71% were comforted by the consult. However, mothers < 30 weeks' gestation were less likely to be comforted after the consult compared to those > or = 30 weeks. Most frequently, mothers indicated that they were provided with too little detail about retinopathy of prematurity and intraventricular hemorrhage.


CONCLUSIONS
Most mothers delivering a preterm infant describe the prenatal consultation with a neonatologist as useful. The majority of mothers are comforted by the information presented.
Paul
D A
DA
Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, Christiana Care Health Services, Newark, DE, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
Epps
S
S
Leef
K H
KH
Stefano
J L
JL
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D008297:Male; D009359:Neonatology; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011247:Pregnancy; D011295:Prenatal Care; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors