MATERNAL HEALTH RISK AND NEONATAL OUTCOMES

The ability of maternal risk factors to predict neonatal outcomes was examined in a retrospective study of 139 randomly selected women who received obstetric care from the Frontier Nursing Service (FNS) from November 1984 - June 1986. The goal of the project was to develop a statistical model for risk assessment, to be applied in a subsequent prospective study, with the ultimate goal of replication to validate the risk model. The sample consisted of low income, white women residing in rural Kentucky.

The development of a model to predict poor neonatal outcomes would assist FNS nursing staff in assessing the relative contribution of maternal risk factors to neonatal outcomes. Nurses delivering care could apply the model in identifying mothers at high risk and could intervene more appropriately, thereby enhancing neonatal outcomes.