Work

Leveraging mHealth and a milk expression frequency biomarker during postpartum to prolong lactation among parents of critically ill infants: a pilot study

Year: 2023

Type: article

Study designs: Randomized Controlled Trial, Clinical Trial

Abstract: Objective: To assess the feasibility and potential benefits of personalized biomarker-based text messages in prolonging lactation among parents of critically ill infants. Study Design: Thirty-six participants were randomized to receive either daily texts with Mother’s Own Milk (MOM) sodium levels or standard care. Surveys at months 1 and 3 assessed whether infants were receiving exclusive MOM feeding, any MOM feeding, and whether the parent was still lactating. Kaplan-Meier and log-rank tests were used for survival analysis within and between intervention and control groups. Results: Participants were predominantly on Medicaid (72%), delivered infants < 1500g, and by c-section (56%). Survival probabilities at month 3 suggest prolonged MOM feeding (63% [.95CI, .43-.91] vs 41% [.95CI, .21-.67]) and lactation (63% [.95CI, .42-.95] vs 37% [.95CI, .18-.76]) in the enhanced group compared to the control group. Conclusion: Personalized biomarker-based text messages are feasible and may prolong lactation and MOM feeding among parents of critically ill infants.

Source: Journal of Perinatology

DOI: 10.1038/s41372-023-01639-y

Authors: Marina Magalhães, Arie H. Havelaar, Deepthi S. Varma, Nicole Cacho, Sandra Sullivan, Leslie A. Parker