Addressing Unmet Maternal Health Needs at a Pediatric Specialty Infant Care Clinic

The objective of this intervention was to evaluate the feasibility of screening mothers of medically fragile infants in the domains of 1) depression, 2) tobacco exposure, and 3) family planning at a post-neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) developmental pediatric visit. Additionally, we sought to estimate the percentage who met criteria for further evaluation in the three domains assessed.

A cross-sectional questionnaire was administered to 100 caregivers of medically fragile infants at a specialty, post-NICU clinic visit. Participants' responses in three domains were evaluated and appropriate referrals were provided. Analysis was then restricted to the 87 biological mothers who completed the screening. Study staff contacted the mothers 2 months later to determine whether services had been accessed and to assess overall satisfaction with the screening within the pediatric visit. Qualitative interviews were conducted with pediatric clinic staff.

Screening questionnaires were completed by 87 biological mothers. Twenty-two mothers (25%) met referral criteria. Pediatric clinic staff and providers were comfortable administering the screening instrument, and there was minimal disruption to clinic flow.

Mothers of medically fragile infants are likely to have unmet health care needs that can be identified at a specialty pediatric clinic visit. A screening and referral intervention can be implemented with minimal interruption in pediatric clinic flow and is acceptable to mothers and pediatric providers.