The relationship between postnatal care and neonatal admission Ver. 1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
An observational pilot study of the relationship of postnatal care and the admission of well babies with preventable conditions
IRAS ID
176923
Contact name
Susan J Coltman
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Anglia Ruskin University
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 5 months, 13 days
Research summary
As a Specialist Midwife (Infant Feeding) I have noticed an increase in the number of babies that are admitted to hospital within the first 28 days of life; a critical review of the literature has revealed that 11.2% of all babies born in England are admitted to hospital within 28 days of birth. 34% of these admissions are unplanned and attributable to well babies with preventable conditions e.g. weight loss, jaundice and feeding problems.
In the researchers Trust an analysis of the data by the researcher for the year 2014 demonstrates the admission rate by month exceeds the national average and peaks at three times higher.
Admission of well babies with preventable conditions is an unnecessary drain on NHS resources and has the potential to adversely affect the mother/ baby relationship and feeding choices.
The early days of motherhood are a critical phase when confidence in parenting ability and feeding are established, disruption and/or separation have the potential effect of disturbing nurturing/attachment behaviours and altering feeding choices.
Secure attachment has long-term benefits to both the mother and baby; it is associated with decreased antisocial behaviour, depressive illness and increased responsiveness. Breastfeeding has proven health benefits to mother and baby, and can contribute to improved health outcomes and reduced use of acute and community health services in the short and long term.
The study aims to extract anonymised data collected during normal care for the purposes of research, on mothers and babies for whom the researcher has legitimate permission during her professional role to have access to their identity.
The data will be used to; explore the reasons for hospital admission, evaluate the effectiveness of postnatal care in preventing hospital admission and generate information to inform the quality and organisation of care.REC name
London - Chelsea Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/LO/0786
Date of REC Opinion
11 May 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion