Randomized controlled trial of a prenatal and postnatal lactation consultant intervention on infant health care use.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether infants of women randomized to a prenatal and postpartum lactation support intervention incur fewer otitis media-, respiratory tract-, or gastrointestinal-related visits than controls.


METHODS
Randomized, unmasked controlled trial recruiting women from prenatal care settings. Breastfeeding sensitive (BFS) illness visits for otitis media or respiratory tract or gastrointestinal complaints were obtained up to 12 months.


METHODS
Two urban community health centers.


METHODS
Analytic sample of 338 low-income, primarily Hispanic and/or black mother-infant dyads (n = 163 for the intervention group and n = 175 for the control group).


METHODS
Study lactation consultants attempted 2 prenatal meetings, 1 postpartum hospital and/or home visit, and telephone calls as needed. Controls received the standard of care.


METHODS
Combined outpatient and emergency department visits with illness and BFS illness diagnoses.


RESULTS
There was a significant interaction between treatment and Medicaid; among those not receiving Medicaid, the number of otitis media visits was higher among controls (P</=.03). Visits for any illness and BFS, gastrointestinal, or respiratory tract illnesses did not differ by treatment group. Intervention group infants received more breast milk than controls, but exclusive breastfeeding rates remained low and did not differ between groups at any point.


CONCLUSIONS
Only the number of otitis media visits was reduced, in a subset of the intervention group. The intervention did not reduce visits for respiratory tract or gastrointestinal illness. Limited intervention contact and low exclusive breastfeeding rates may have attenuated intervention effects. Future interventions designed to yield markedly increased breastfeeding rates may show greater effects in low-income multiethnic samples. Health coverage for visits may moderate intervention effects.
Bonuck
Karen A
KA
Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA. kbonuck@montefiore.org
Freeman
Katherine
K
Trombley
Michelle
M
D044383:Black People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000208:ethnology; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002662:Child Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003376:Counseling; D005260:Female; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D016014:Linear Models; D008425:Maternal Behavior; D009518:New York / Q000453:epidemiology; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000453:epidemiology; D011181:Postnatal Care / Q000379:methods*; D011203:Poverty; D011247:Pregnancy; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000379:methods*; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D001741:Black or African American