Effects of a very low birth weight newborn on family: literature review.

OBJECTIVE: The present study is a literature review to identify the effects of a very low birth weight newborn on family. This is an important instrument to clarify epidemiological issues and to suggest the directions for health policy efforts. METHOD: A three-step review was carried out using databases of journals indexed for Medline/Lilacs/ Scielo/Cochrane published between 1966 and 2005 using specific criteria of inclusion. The first step selected 12 articles from 2889 when searching for the keyword "very low birth weight infant"; the second step used the crossing of keyword "premature infant" with other pertinent keywords and terms resulting in 191 articles generating 7 more articles matching the criteria of inclusion. The third step was to analyze the references of articles in steps 1 and 2 (12 + 7 = 19), selecting 3 additional ones totalizing 22 selected articles. RESULT: Evidences in literature state that the families of very low birth weight newborns suffer potential negative effects on their operational dynamics, which is associated to the clinical seriousness, the age and the neuropsycomotor development of such children. It seems that the mother is the most affected member due to the situation imposed to the family, and the one who needs psychosocial support more frequently. CONCLUSION: The number of existing studies is still insufficient to clarify whether the effects on the family considering all their aspects are preponderantly positive or negative.

Effects of a very low birth weight newborn on family: literature review / Efectos del peso extremadamente bajo al nacimiento sobre la familia: revisión bibliográfica

Objetivo: este estudio es una revisión bibliográfica para intentar identificar los efectos que el recién nacido de peso muy bajo tiene en una familia. Este es un instrumento importante para aclarar los aspectos epidemiológicos y sugerir las directrices en los esfuerzos de políticas sanitaria. Método: se realizó una revisión en tres pasos empleando las bases de datos de las revistas indexadas en Medline/ Lilacs/Scielo/Cochrane con fecha de publicación entre 1966 y 2005, utilizando criterios de inclusión específicos. El primer paso seleccionó 12 artículos de 2.899 cuando se buscó el término clave “very low birth weight infant”; el segundo paso utilizó la combinación de las palabras clave “premature infant” con otros términos clave pertinentes, lo que produjo 191 artículos que, a su vez, originaron 7 artículos más que cumplían los criterios de inclusión. El tercer paso consistió en analizar las citas de los artículos en los pasos 1 y 2 (12 + 7 = 19), seleccionando otros 3 más, con un total de 22 artículos seleccionados. Resultado: las evidencias bibliográficas afirman que las familias con recién nacidos de peso muy bajo al nacimiento sufren efectos potencialmente negativos en su dinámica operativa, lo que se asocia con la gravedad clínica, la edad y el desarrollo neuropsicomotor de tales niños. La madre parece ser el miembro más afectado dada la situación impuesta a la familia, y también aquel que requiere apoyo psicosocial con mayor frecuencia. Conclusión: el número de estudios exigentes sigue siendo insuficiente para aclarar si los efectos sobre la familia, considerando todos sus aspectos, son predominantemente positivos o negativos

Objective: The present study is a literature review to identify the effects of a very low birth weight newborn on family. This is an important instrument to clarify epidemiological issues and to suggest the directions for health policy efforts. Method: A three-step review was carried out using databases of journals indexed for Medline/Lilacs/ Scielo/Cochrane published between 1966 and 2005 using specific criteria of inclusion. The first step selected 12 articles from 2,889 when searching for the keyword “very low birth weight infant”; the second step used the crossing of keyword “premature infant” with other pertinent keywords and terms resulting in 191 articles generating 7 more articles matching the criteria of inclusion. The third step was to analyze the references of articles in steps 1 and 2 (12 + 7 = 19), selecting 3 additional ones totalizing 22 selected articles. Result: Evidences in literature state that the families of very low birth weight newborns suffer potential negative effects on their operational dynamics, which is associated to the clinical seriousness, the age and the neuropsycomotor development of such children. It seems that the mother is the most affected member due to the situation imposed to the family, and the one who needs psychosocial support more frequently. Conclusion: The number of existing studies is still insufficient to clarify whether the effects on the family considering all their aspects are preponderantly positive or negative