Well-being in parents of infants with neurological conditions: from birth to 6 months after discharge.

OBJECTIVE

Describe the well-being of parents of infants during intensive care unit (ICU) admission through 6 months after discharge.

STUDY

DESIGN

Cohort study of infants with neurological conditions admitted to the ICU between 2018 and 2020 whose parents completed surveys at enrollment, discharge, and 6 months after discharge.

RESULTS

40 mothers and 21 fathers of 40 infants were enrolled. Abnormal anxiety scores were most common at enrollment for mothers (58%), and at 6 months post discharge for fathers (71%). Abnormal sleep was most common at enrollment for mothers (75%), and at discharge for fathers (73%). Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) scores were abnormal for 47% of mothers and 33% of fathers.

CONCLUSION

Parents of infants with neurologic conditions are at risk of poor well-being, including symptoms of anxiety, PTSD, and impaired physical function. Further studies assessing the optimal timing for interventions are needed to improve parental well-being.