Abstract 1278 Poster Session II, Sunday, 5/2 (poster 85)

Neonatologists are often asked to consult with mothers when preterm delivery is imminent. To date, the benefits of this consultation have not been studied. The purpose of this study was to assess the usefulness of the prenatal consultation. Methods: a questionnaire was developed to assess the prenatal consultation. Content validity was finalized after review by 10 health care providers caring for preterm infants. Approximately 1 wk prior to an infant's discharge, informed consent was obtained and mothers were asked to complete the questionnare. The prenatal consult was performed prior to delivery when ordered by the attending obstetrician. No consultations performed by the authors of this investigation were included in the analysis. All data are expressed as mean ± SD and compared using Chi-Square. Results: 46 mothers delivering a total of 49 preterm infants were surveyed. The gest. age of study infants was 30.9 ± 2.8 wks, birth wt. 1656 ± 648 gms, maternal age 28.4 ± 6.4 yrs, and educational status 14.4 ± 2.4 yrs. The consultation was performed at 6.3 ± 9.8 days prior to delivery. Overall, 80% of mothers classified the prenatal consult as useful. The consultation was classified as comforting by 65% of mothers and stressful by 31%. Mothers delivering infants >30 wks gestation (n=30) were more likely to find the consult comforting (80%) compared to those with infants <30wks gestation (37%, p=.01), while mothers with infants <30 wks were more likely to classify the consult as stressful (31%) compared to those with infants >30wks (13%, p=.01). After the consultation, 43% of mothers were less worried about the birth of their preterm infant, while only 15% were more worried; 76% indicated that they had a high level of trust and confidence in the neonatologist. Mothers were asked about the detail provided to them concerning mortality and common neonatal morbidities. According to mothers surveyed, 13% felt they were told too little about mortality. The following percentage of mothers believed they were told too little about neonatal morbidities:17% about IVH and blood transfusion, 19% about ROP, and 20% about developmental disabilities. RDS was documented in the medical record as being discussed on 80% of consults, IVH on 46%, while 30% documented discussing blood transfusions, and developmental disabilities. When asked if they would rather have been provided with exact outcome statistics or generalizations concerning mortality and morbidities of prematurity, 61% responded in favor of exact statistics for mortality, 62% RDS, 52% for IVH, BPD, and ROP, and 61% for developmental disabilities. Conclusions: after experiencing their infant's hospital course, 80% of mothers found the prenatal consultation useful. The consult is more likely to be stressful if the infant is <30wks gestation. In addition, in our population of educated mothers, most mothers prefer to be told exact statistics, rather than generalizations, concerning major neonatal morbidities.