Estrés en padres de recién nacidos prematuros de muy bajo peso hospitalizados en unidades de cuidados intensivos neonatales. Estudio multicéntrico / Stress in parents of very low birth weight preterm infants hospitalized in neonatal intensive care units. A multicenter study

Introducción. El nacimiento de un hijo prematuro es un evento estresante para sus padres. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar el estrés inicial de padres de recién nacidos de muy bajo peso de nacimiento (RNMBPN) hospitalizados en 12 unidades de cuidados intensivos neonatales en una red neonatal sudamericana, identificar los factores asociados y comparar el nivel de estrés parental en centros públicos vs. privados. Población y métodos. Estudio transversal en madres/padres de RNMBPN (de 500 a 1500 g). El estrés parental inicial se midió utilizando la Escala de Estrés Parental en una escala de 1 (bajo estrés) a 5 (alto estrés). Las características sociodemográficas de las madres/padres y de los neonatos fueron recolectadas y asociadas a los niveles de estrés parental. Resultados. Participaron del estudio 273 padres / madres de un total de 218 RNMBPN. La encuesta fue aplicada en el 5,9 ± 2,0 días de vida del recién nacido. El estrés parental total promedio fue de 3,1 ± 0,8, y la subescala rol parental fue aquella que puntuó más alto (3,6). Tener un menor nivel educacional, estar desempleado, no haber tomado al recién nacido en brazos y el requerimiento de apoyo ventilatorio se asociaron a mayor estrés parental. El estrés fue mayor en madres que en padres y en centros públicos que en privados. Conclusiones. En padres de RNMBPN, se encontró un estrés inicial moderado. El factor más relevante fue la alteración en su rol parental. El estrés parental fue mayor en las madres y en los centros públicos. Se requiere una mayor sensibilización, investigación e intervención en esta área.

Introduction. The birth of a premature baby is a stressful event for parents. The objective of this study was to determine early stress in parents of very low birth weight infants (VLBWIs) hospitalized in 12 neonatal intensive care units from a South American Neonatal Network, to identify associated factors, and to compare the level of parental stress in public versus private healthcare facilities. Population and Methods. Cross-sectional study in mothers/fathers of VLBWIs (500 to 1500 g). Early parental stress was measured using the Parental Stressor Scale, with a score from 1 (low stress) to 5 (high stress). The sociodemographic characteristics of parents and newborn infants were collected and associated with levels of parental stress. Results. The study included273 fathers/mothers of a total of218 VLBW preterm infants. The survey was administered at 5.9 ± 2.0 days of life. The average total parental stress was 3.1 ± 0.8, and the highest score was obtained for the parental role subscale (3.6). A lower education level, unemployment, not having held the newborn infant, and respiratory support requirement were associated with higher parental stress levels. Stress was higher among mothers than fathers, and at public facilities versus private ones. Conclusions. Among parents of VLBWIs, a moderate early parental stress was observed. Parental role alteration was the most relevant factor. Parental stress was higher among mothers and at public healthcare facilities. A greater sensitization, further research and interventions in this area are required.

Estrés en padres de recién nacidos prematuros de muy bajo peso hospitalizados en unidades de cuidados intensivos neonatales. Estudio multicéntrico / Stress in parents of very low birth weight preterm infants hospitalized in neonatal intensive care units. A multicenter study

Introducción. El nacimiento de un hijo prematuro es un evento estresante para sus padres. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar el estrés inicial de padres de recién nacidos de muy bajo peso de nacimiento (RNMBPN) hospitalizados en 12 unidades de cuidados intensivos neonatales en una red neonatal sudamericana, identificar los factores asociados y comparar el nivel de estrés parental en centros públicos vs. privados. Población y métodos. Estudio transversal en madres/padres de RNMBPN (de 500 a 1500 g). El estrés parental inicial se midió utilizando la Escala de Estrés Parental en una escala de 1 (bajo estrés) a 5 (alto estrés). Las características sociodemográficas de las madres/padres y de los neonatos fueron recolectadas y asociadas a los niveles de estrés parental. Resultados. Participaron del estudio 273 padres / madres de un total de 218 RNMBPN. La encuesta fue aplicada en el 5,9 ± 2,0 días de vida del recién nacido. El estrés parental total promedio fue de 3,1 ± 0,8, y la subescala rol parental fue aquella que puntuó más alto (3,6). Tener un menor nivel educacional, estar desempleado, no haber tomado al recién nacido en brazos y el requerimiento de apoyo ventilatorio se asociaron a mayor estrés parental. El estrés fue mayor en madres que en padres y en centros públicos que en privados. Conclusiones. En padres de RNMBPN, se encontró un estrés inicial moderado. El factor más relevante fue la alteración en su rol parental. El estrés parental fue mayor en las madres y en los centros públicos. Se requiere una mayor sensibilización, investigación e intervención en esta área.(AU)

Introduction. The birth of a premature baby is a stressful event for parents. The objective of this study was to determine early stress in parents of very low birth weight infants (VLBWIs) hospitalized in 12 neonatal intensive care units from a South American Neonatal Network, to identify associated factors, and to compare the level of parental stress in public versus private healthcare facilities. Population and Methods. Cross-sectional study in mothers/fathers of VLBWIs (500 to 1500 g). Early parental stress was measured using the Parental Stressor Scale, with a score from 1 (low stress) to 5 (high stress). The sociodemographic characteristics of parents and newborn infants were collected and associated with levels of parental stress. Results. The study included273 fathers/mothers of a total of218 VLBW preterm infants. The survey was administered at 5.9 ± 2.0 days of life. The average total parental stress was 3.1 ± 0.8, and the highest score was obtained for the parental role subscale (3.6). A lower education level, unemployment, not having held the newborn infant, and respiratory support requirement were associated with higher parental stress levels. Stress was higher among mothers than fathers, and at public facilities versus private ones. Conclusions. Among parents of VLBWIs, a moderate early parental stress was observed. Parental role alteration was the most relevant factor. Parental stress was higher among mothers and at public healthcare facilities. A greater sensitization, further research and interventions in this area are required.(AU)

Stress in parents of very low birth weight preterm infants hospitalized in neonatal intensive care units. A multicenter study.

INTRODUCTION: The birth of a premature baby is a stressful event for parents. The objective of this study was to determine early stress in parents of very low birth weight infants (VLBWIs) hospitalized in 12 neonatal intensive care units from a South American Neonatal Network, to identify associated factors, and to compare the level of parental stress in public versus private healthcare facilities. POPULATION AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study in mothers/fathers of VLBWIs (500 to 1500 g). Early parental stress was measured using the Parental Stressor Scale, with a score from 1 (low stress) to 5 (high stress). The sociodemographic characteristics of parents and newborn infants were collected and associated with levels of parental stress. RESULTS: The study included 273 fathers/mothers of a total of 218 VLBW preterm infants. The survey was administered at 5.9 ± 2.0 days of life. The average total parental stress was 3.1 ± 0.8, and the highest score was obtained for the parental role subscale (3.6). A lower education level, unemployment, not having held the newborn infant, and respiratory support requirement were associated with higher parental stress levels. Stress was higher among mothers than fathers, and at public facilities versus private ones. CONCLUSIONS: Among parents of VLBWIs, a moderate early parental stress was observed. Parental role alteration was the most relevant factor. Parental stress was higher among mothers and at public healthcare facilities. A greater sensitization, further research and interventions in this area are required.

Prevalence of habitual snoring and associated neurocognitive consequences among Chilean school aged children.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of habitual snoring and symptoms of sleep disordered breathing (SDB) and their association with neurocognitive consequences in school-aged children. METHODS: A population based cross-sectional study was carried out in a low income urban setting in Santiago, Chile. A parental SDB-questionnaire was adapted and applied to a community based sample of children aged 7-17 years. Hyperactive/inattentive behavior was assessed using the Conner's rating scale. School grades were obtained and the associations between questionnaire's results and risks for poor academic performance were investigated. RESULTS: Of 700 questionnaires sent; 523 (75%) returned correctly filled in. Mean age of the subjects was 11.0±2.5 years; 246 (47%) were boys. Prevalence of habitual snoring was 18%. The Conner's rating scale correlated significantly with the SDB-questionnaire's score (r(s)=0.47). Children with habitual snoring showed significantly lower (mean±standard deviation) school grades in Spanish language (5.6±1.2 vs. 5.4±0.9, p-value=0.04) and general average school grades (5.9±0.6 vs. 5.7±0.6, p-value=0.05). After adjustment for possible confounding factors, children with an abnormal SDB questionnaire score had significantly higher risk for poor academic performance in Spanish language, odds ratio (95% confidence interval): 1.82 (1.01-3.27) and physical education 1.85 (1.05-3.26). DISCUSSION: There was a high prevalence of habitual snoring and symptoms of SDB in this survey of Chilean children, being among the highest reported. The presence of habitual snoring and an abnormal SDB questionnaire were associated with poor academic performance and hyperactive behavior.