669 - Influence of Maternal NICU Visitation on Human Milk Feeding in Preterm Infants

Publication Number: 669.5566

Katherine Ottolini, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, District of Columbia, DC, United States; Nickie Andescavage, Children's National Health System, Washington, DC, United States; Sudeepta Basu, Children's National Health System, Washington, DC, United States; Aaron Zeman, Children's National Health System, Washington, DC, United States; Adre du Plessis, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States; Catherine Limperopoulos, Children's National Health System, Washington DC, DC, United States

Background: Physical maternal-infant bonding has been associated with improved duration of breastfeeding among healthy term infants. In the vulnerable preterm population, a large body of evidence emphasizes the beneficial and protective effects of mother’s own milk (MOM) in mitigating complications of prematurity, however the relationship between maternal neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) presence and sustained MOM provision have not been as well-explored.

Objective: To determine the relationship between maternal presence and infant holding during NICU hospitalization and sustained MOM provision in preterm infants, as well as to explore potential sociodemographic and psychological factors relating to maternal visitation.

Design/Methods: Preterm infants (birth gestational age < 36 weeks) admitted to an urban level IV NICU were enrolled as part of a prospective observational study. Maternal sociodemographic factors were self-reported. Maternal NICU visitation and infant holding were recorded from admission until hospital discharge. Maternal psychological distress was assessed using the Parental Stressor Scale: NICU (PSS NICU).

Results: We studied 123 mother-infant dyads (mean maternal age 30 + 6 years, neonatal birth gestational age 29.1 + 3.5 weeks, length of stay [LOS] 80 + 58 days); 60 received MOM at NICU discharge. After correcting for LOS, maternal NICU visitation (p < 0.001) and holding (p < 0.001) were positively associated with MOM at NICU discharge. Maternal education (Figure 1) and race/ethnicity (Figure 2) were significantly associated with visitation and holding, while PSS: NICU score showed a negative correlation (r = -0.3, p = 0.008).

Conclusion(s): Our findings emphasize the importance of interventions to increase maternal visitation and holding to promote sustained MOM provision for preterm infants, particularly for socially vulnerable populations.

Figure 1
Maternal Presence by Education Level

Figure 2
Maternal Presence by Race/Ethnicity