The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #61761

Briana Reiter, BA¹, Paula Meier, DNSc², Iris R. Shannon, PhD, RN¹, Karen Williams, BS, CPA³, and Janet Engstrom, PhD⁴. (1) Health Systems Management, Rush University, 1700 W Van Buren St., Ste. 126B, Chicago, IL 60607, 3129424956, briana_j_reiter@rush.edu, (2) Rush Special Care Nursery, Rush Presbyterian St. Luke's Medical Center and University, 1653 W Congress Parkway, Jones Ste. 625, Chicago, IL 60607, (3) Department of Finance and Health Systems Management, Rush Presbyterian St. Luke's Medical Center and University, 1700 W. Van Buren St., Ste. 126B, Chicago, IL 60607, (4) Department of Maternal Child Nursing, University of Illinois Chicago, 848 NURS, UIC College of Nursing (M/C 802), 845 S. Damen Avenue, Chicago, IL 60612

Although previous research demonstrates cost savings for breastfeeding full-term infants, no published studies have focused exclusively on the economics of mother’s milk (MM) feedings for hospitalized very low birthweight (VLBW; <1500 grams) infants. Mothers' milk is protective against the costly array of morbidity that includes enteral feeding intolerance, nosocomial infection, and necrotizing enterocolitis, to which VLBW infants are most at risk in the first 30 days post-birth (PB). This study is unique because it is the first of its kind to incorporate actual dose and have a large ethnic and income diverse sample (n=207). VLBW infants are born disproportionately to low-income and minority mother’s who initiate and sustain lactation at lower rates than the general population. This research examines the relationship between dose of mother’s milk (% of total enteral feeds = MM), hospital charges and LOS at a large urban, academic medical center. The analysis will include 2 multiple-linear regressions in which 3 variables (dose, infant birthweight, and gestational age) will be fitted to examine the extent to which they predict hospital charges and LOS. Interactions between the variables will also be examined. This study would provide actuarial data to support reimbursement and access for breastfeeding interventions for economically disadvantaged mothers of VLBW infants, which is not currently universally provided.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize that there is an inverse relationship between the amount of MM received by VLBW infants and hospital charges and LOS. Develop and support policy showing MM provides health and economic benefits in hospitalized VLBW infants.

Keywords: Breastfeeding,

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.