The effect of prenatal consultation with a neonatologist on human milk feeding in preterm infants.
OBJECTIVE
To study the effect of prenatal consultation (PC) with a neonatologist on the incidence and duration of human milk feeding (HMF) in preterm infants.


METHODS
A retrospective matched case-control study was preformed at a perinatal centre. Study infants were preterm infants (23-35 wk) whose mothers had received PC emphasizing the importance of HMF. Control infants were matched by birthweight, gestational age and multiplicity.


RESULTS
Each group included 29 mothers and 46 preterm infants. Mean gestational age was 30.1 +/- 3 wk in both groups. Mean birthweight was 1329 +/- 489 (PC) and 1334 +/- 441 g (control). PC infants received HMF for significantly longer, both in the hospital and after discharge (hospital: PC 37 +/- 34 d vs control 15 +/- 19 d, p = 0.001; discharge PC 60 +/- 57 d vs control 21 +/- 32 d; p = 0.0001). No significant difference in neonatal morbidity was detected between the groups.


CONCLUSIONS
PC is associated with significantly longer HMF in preterm infants, both in hospital and after discharge.
Friedman
S
S
Department of Neonatology, Kaplan Medical Centre, Rehovot and Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel.
Flidel-Rimon
O
O
Lavie
E
E
Shinwell
E S
ES
D000328:Adult; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008895:Milk, Human; D011295:Prenatal Care; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012189:Retrospective Studies