[Stress disorder in parents of premature neonates--secondary publication].

The current study evaluated the psychological sequelae in 66 parents of premature neonates (mean weight 842 grams). A total of 35% of the parents reported that their child had a handicap, while 20% of the women met the criteria of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) at the time of the study, and an additional 10% met the criteria for subclinical PTSD. Female gender, the child's handicap, general distress during hospitalization, distressing contact with hospital staff, experienced distress at homecoming, and emotional coping explained 72% of the degree of traumatization.