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. Design/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.