Parental perception of child vulnerability among mothers of very low birth weight infants: psychological predictors and neurodevelopmental sequelae at 2 years.

Abstract

ObjectiveTo examine the impact of maternal psychological distress on the development of parental perception of child vulnerability (PPCV) in mothers of VLBW infants; and to examine the impact of PPCV on neurodevelopmental outcome in VLBW infants in the 2nd year of life.Study DesignProspective study of 69 mothers and their VLBW infants recruited in 2011-2012 for whom maternal psychological data was collected during the NICU hospitalization. Maternal PPCV was assessed at 4 months corrected age (CA). Neurodevelopmental outcome was assessed at 20 months CA. Regression analyses modeled the development of PPCV and the impact of PPCV on neurodevelopmental outcome.ResultsPPCV at 4 months CA was predicted by maternal anxiety and history of previous fetal loss reported during the NICU stay. Higher PPCV at 4 months CA was associated with lower language scores at 20 months CA.ConclusionsTargeted interventions aimed reducing PPCV in the NICU are supported.