Swiss-Austrian VEry Preterm Infant Transition Systematic Review (SAVE-T): Transition to home: improving outcomes of children and families - a systematic literature review (Embase).

Abstract

Abstract According to the Federal Statistical Office of Switzerland 0, 8% of births in 2021 were born below 32 gestational weeks (1). This number is comparable to other European countries (2). According to the WHO preterm-born infants are at risk for serious sickness and death (3). Subsequently, the birth of a very preterm infant and the following stay in the hospital leads to emotional distress of the parents (4). Very preterm-born infants have a higher risk of adverse outcomes including respiratory problems, hearing and visual impairment, gastrointestinal morbidities, neurodevelopmental disabilities, and cognitive impairment (5). During neonatal hospital care, infants are monitored by medical staff. Interventions aimed at improving parent-infant bonding and family centered care is implemented in many neonatal units. While coming home is long awaited it is also associated with an interruption of highly specialized professional care. Aydon et al. showed that parents of preterm-born infants felt anxious and not prepared regarding the transition to home (6). Parents of very preterm-born infants often experience substantial stress leading to symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (7). In the published protocol by Bedwell (8) there is some overlap to our study. However, our systematic review will focus on interventions that target the transition from hospital to home. In the published protocol by Aagaard (9) there is also some overlap. But, contrary to our review, their focus is the parental experience regarding the transition to home. Both protocols reported on a narrower time frame.