Objective: To analyze problem-solving and coping strategies of parents of children with Down Syndrome in family adaptation. Method: This is a qualitative research that used the Resiliency Model of Family Stress, Adjustment, and Adaptation. Participants were mothers and/or fathers from 40 families of children aged 1 to 7 years diagnosed with DS. Directed content analysis was performed, supported by software and considering a code dictionary. Results: Problem-solving and coping proved to be a set of actions, behaviors, efforts, and communications that contributed to family adaptation and favored balance between the demands imposed by Down Syndrome and the acquisition of resources by the family. Conclusion: In the first moment, which corresponds to the time of news or diagnosis of the syndrome and the first days after birth, internal and external resources, which represent coping, are developed to accept and refocus ideas and feelings towards Down Syndrome. Over time these resources have an effect and cause changes in family functioning patterns and in the relationship of these families with the outside world, as they seek child development.

Objective: to identify aspects that contribute to the discontinuation of outpatient follow-up of newborns from Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU) from the perspective of mothers. Method: exploratory, qualitative study, whose theoretical framework was Symbolic Interactionism. Fifteen mothers of children with NICU who discontinued outpatient follow-up in Belo Horizonte-MG were included in a semi-structured interview. Data were analyzed based on the proposal of Hsieh and Shannon. Results: distance from the health service, absence of family support, difficulty in leaving work, maternal health status, organization of the health service itself and deficiency of public transportation were predisposing factors for outpatient abandonment. Mothers understand that their children do not need differentiated care of children at usual risk. Conclusion: service organization, socioeconomic status of the family and social support perceived by mothers were related with the lack of compliance with outpatient follow-up.

Parenting a child with Down syndrome can sometimes present certain difficulties and, thus, spirituality may function as a dimension related to finding meaning in life and as a coping resource. Spirituality is a critical dimension of nursing care, but scarce knowledge is available to specifically inform family nursing practice. The aim of this study was to explore the spiritual aspects of parenting a child with Down syndrome, as a qualitative secondary analysis. This is an observational qualitative study, based on in-depth interviews from 42 participants. Data analysis found seven categories that concern meaning and purpose in life: hope, family strength, spiritual practices, personal beliefs, and love, and trust in healthcare providers. Spirituality is a resource in parents’ lives who are living in this situation. Nurses should consider this dimension in supporting families and in improving management of this life and health condition.

Objectives: to identify predisposing and enabling factors as well as the health needs associated with the discontinuance of outpatient follow-up of newborns who were hospitalized at neonatal intensive care unit. Methods: cross-sectional study, using the behavioral model of health services use. The study was composed of 358 mothers and newborns referred to the outpatient follow-up after discharge. Characterization, perception of social support, postnatal depression, and attendance to appointments data were collected, analyzed by the R software (3.3.1). Results: outpatient follow-up was discontinued by 31.28% of children in the first year after discharge. In multiple regression analysis, the chance of discontinuance was higher for newborns who used mechanical ventilation (OR = 1.68; 95%CI 1.04-2.72) and depended on technology (OR = 3.54; 95%CI 1.32-9.5). Conclusions: predisposing factors were associated with the discontinuance of follow-up; enabling factors and health needs did not present a significant association. Children with more complex health conditions require additional support to participate in follow-up programs, thus ensuring the continuity of care.