The role of pediatric interconception care in preventing adverse birth outcomes

NIH RePORTER · NIH · K23 · $166,644 · view on reporter.nih.gov ↗

Abstract

Summary/Abstract Preterm births occur in 10% of US births, cause 36% of infant mortality, and cost $26 billion each year. Repeat preterm births represent approximately 20% of total prematurity. Preventive care that effectively addresses modifiable risks (e.g. tobacco use, weight status, interpregnancy interval) among women with a prior preterm birth could plausibly reduce overall preterm birth rates by 10% or more. However, our preliminary work found that 39% of Medicaid-insured women with a prior preterm birth received no preventive care in the year after pregnancy. Leveraging existing contact between pediatric health systems and new mothers, this research proposes a pediatric-based nurse intervention as a novel strategy to reduce prematurity. We hypothesize that nurse care coordination will increase receipt of preventive care. In addition, we propose embedding motivational interviewing within the care coordination model to address modifiable health risks. We hypothesize that this care coordination plus motivational interviewing intervention will increase receipt of preventive care and reduce modifiable behavioral risks, thus improving subsequent birth outcomes. The proposed intervention builds on existing care coordination models and on prior work demonstrating feasibility of maternal risk screening in pediatrics. This intervention innovates over existing interconception (IC) care models by: (1) locating our intervention in the pediatric health care system to capitalize on existing interactions, (2) focusing on strategies to address needs and risks identified through screening, and (3) implementing motivational interviewing within care coordination to better address modifiable risks. The candidate, Dr. Gregory, has conducted prior maternal-child health research focused on the IC period. Her long-term goal is to become an independent maternal-child health researcher developing clinical programs to improve birth outcomes. This five-year mentored research proposal will support her goal through course work and completion of mentored research. Candidate training will focus on three objectives: (1) motivational interviewing, an evidence-based behavior change strategy, (2) implementation science, and (3) pragmatic clinical trials. Research will address two specific aims. (Aim 1) will adapt care coordination and motivational interviewing for women with a prior preterm birth. Using mixed methods, and starting with existing models of pediatric care coordination, adaptation will focus on the needs of women with a history of preterm birth and on integration of motivational interviewing. (Aim 1a: qualitative interviews; Aim 1b: iterative testing.) (Aim 2) will conduct a pilot pragmatic randomized trial of usual care vs care coordination plus motivational interviewing for women with a prior preterm birth. This trial will demonstrate intervention feasibility and estimate the effect size of the intervention on health care utilization. Findings will inform an R...

Key facts

NIH application ID
10249289
Project number
5K23HD102560-02
Recipient
CHILDREN'S HOSP OF PHILADELPHIA
Principal Investigator
Emily F Gregory
Activity code
K23
Funding institute
NIH
Fiscal year
2021
Award amount
$166,644
Award type
5
Project period
2020-09-01 → 2025-08-31