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Prenatal Consultation With a Neonatologist Prior to Preterm Delivery

Journal of Perinatology volume 21, pages 431–437 (2001)Cite this article

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the usefulness of prenatal consultation with a neonatologist before preterm birth.

STUDY DESIGN: 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 ≥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.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, Christiana Care Health Services, Newark, DE, USA

    David A Paul MD, Susan Epps PhD, MPA, Kathleen H Leef RN & John L Stefano MD

  2. Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    David A Paul MD & John L Stefano MD

Authors
  1. David A Paul MD
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  2. Susan Epps PhD, MPA
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  3. Kathleen H Leef RN
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  4. John L Stefano MD
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Paul, D., Epps, S., Leef, K. et al. Prenatal Consultation With a Neonatologist Prior to Preterm Delivery. J Perinatol 21, 431–437 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jp.7210559

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