Psychosocial parental support programs and short-term clinical outcomes in extremely low-birth-weight infants

Abstract

The addition of individualized psychosocial parent support programs to standard care in the NICU may reduce LOS in surviving infants discharged home. Further larger and randomized prospective studies are needed.

Mothers are not fathers: differences between parents in the reduction of stress levels after a parental intervention in a NICU

“…Interventions to support parents of preterm infants have several beneficial effects, such as reducing parental stress, increasing knowledge of the infant's condition and strengthening the sense of parenting . Furthermore, psychosocial parental support programmes may reduce the length of stay in the neonatal unit and re‐admittance to hospital . Interestingly, parental training has also been associated with improved cerebral white matter micro‐structural development in preterm infants, evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging at term equivalent age .…”

Implementing Family-Integrated Care in the NICU

“…Parent participation in educational programs that provide information and opportunities for sharing and problem solving has been shown to reduce parental stress and anxiety, as well as improve confidence and competence. 8,15,16 The varied program formats and components reported in the literature include single information/support sessions, 17 one-to-one support, 14 audiotaped and written material, 15 ongoing weekly support meetings, 13 individualized psychosocial support, 16 and education in specific areas, such as breastfeeding, kangaroo care and baby massage. 8,15,16 The varied program formats and components reported in the literature include single information/support sessions, 17 one-to-one support, 14 audiotaped and written material, 15 ongoing weekly support meetings, 13 individualized psychosocial support, 16 and education in specific areas, such as breastfeeding, kangaroo care and baby massage.…”

“…Nearing et al 16 Retrospective study of shortterm neonatal outcomes associated with parental participation in an individualized psychosocial parental support program.…”

Attachment-keeping NICU Infants Safe

“…Currently, NICU literature focuses on establishing adjustment and improving mental health outcomes for parents [13,14,18,19,26,[41][42][43][44][45]. Also, medical providers are encouraged to support parents when they transition from the NICU to home [32][33][34]. In terms of NICU child maltreatment prevention, efforts focus on shaken baby syndrome and safety promotion efforts address sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).…”

“…Studies advocate for the support of parenting in the NICU to ensure successful health outcomes [32][33][34]. Similarly, studies emphasize the need to prepare caregivers for transition from the NICU to home [35], and overcoming the cultural barriers to preparing NICU families for successful outcomes post-discharge [36].…”