Maternal psychological distress and visitation to the neonatal intensive care unit

作者：Greene Michelle M^*; Rossman Beverly; Patra Kousiki; Kratovil Amanda; Khan Samah; Meier Paula P

来源：Acta Paediatrica, 2015, 104(7): E306-E313.

DOI：10.1111/apa.12975

• Maternal neonatal intensive care unit visitation
• Maternal psychological distress
• Neonatal intensive care unit follow-up
• Rehospitalization

AimTo examine associations between maternal neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) visitation rates, maternal psychological distress (distress') and preterm infant outcome post-NICU discharge in a contemporary cohort of very low birthweight (VLBW) infants.
MethodsThis was a prospective study of 69 mothers and their VLBW infants. Distress was assessed 1-month postbirth, 2weeks prior to NICU discharge and after NICU discharge at 4-month corrected age (CA). Maternal NICU visitation rates were calculated for the first 2weeks and 1-month postbirth as well as for the entire NICU hospitalization. Regression analyses adjusted for the impact of (i) maternal and infant characteristics and distress on maternal visitation rates and (ii) the impact of visitation on long-term maternal distress and rates of infant clinic attendance and rehospitalization.
ResultsGreater number of children in the home, maternal exposure to a greater number of potentially traumatic events prior to childbirth and lower maternal anxiety consistently predicted lower visitation rate. Lower maternal visitation rate predicted higher maternal depression scores at infants' 4-month CA visit. Maternal NICU visitation rate did not predict post-NICU discharge infant clinic attendance or rehospitalization.
ConclusionDistress is an important predictor of visitation. In turn, visitation is associated with long-term maternal distress.

• 出版日期2015-7