Psychological distress in parents of children with severe congenital heart disease: the impact of prenatal versus postnatal diagnosis. J Perinatol 2007 Nov;27(11):687-92
Date
08/25/2007Pubmed ID
17717519DOI
10.1038/sj.jp.7211807Scopus ID
2-s2.0-35648958695 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 119 CitationsAbstract
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to evaluate coping and psychological functioning of parents of children prenatally or postnatally diagnosed with congenital heart disease.
STUDY DESIGN: Parents of 10 infants prenatally diagnosed by fetal echocardiogram and 7 infants postnatally diagnosed with severe congenital heart disease completed the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) at the time of diagnosis, at the time of birth and 6 months after birth. Prenatal and postnatal groups were compared to each other and to BSI norms.
RESULT: Although both groups scored higher than test norms at the time of diagnosis, they did not differ significantly from each other. Six months after birth, the postnatal group scores did not differ from test norms, but the prenatal group scores were still significantly higher than test norms. The severity of the child's heart lesion at diagnosis was related to parental distress levels; parents with children with more severe lesions had higher BSI scores.
CONCLUSION: Results suggest the need to provide parents with psychological support, regardless of the timing of diagnosis. Parents of children with more severe lesions may be at risk for higher levels of psychological distress, particularly over time.
Author List
Brosig CL, Whitstone BN, Frommelt MA, Frisbee SJ, Leuthner SRAuthors
Cheryl L. Brosig Soto PhD Chief, Professor in the Pediatrics department at Medical College of WisconsinMichele Ann Frommelt MD Adjunct Professor in the Pediatrics department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Steven R. Leuthner MD Professor in the Pediatrics department at Medical College of Wisconsin
MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
Adaptation, PsychologicalAdult
Echocardiography
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Heart Defects, Congenital
Humans
Infant, Newborn
Interview, Psychological
Parents
Personality Inventory
Pregnancy
Prenatal Diagnosis
Prognosis
Social Support
Stress, Psychological
Ultrasonography, Prenatal