Key points are not available for this paper at this time.
CONTEXT: Few studies document how parents adapt to the experience of a very low-birth-weight (VLBW; 36 weeks, >2500 g). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Standardized, normative self-report measures of maternal psychological distress, parenting stress, family impact, and life stressors. RESULTS: Mothers of VLBW infants (high risk, n = 122; low risk, n = 84) had more psychological distress than mothers of term infants (n=123) at 1 month (13% vs 1%; P = .003). At 2 years, mothers of low-risk VLBW infants did not differ from term mothers, while mothers of high-risk infants continued to report psychological distress. By 3 years, mothers of high-risk VLBW children did not differ from mothers of term children in distress symptoms, while parenting stress remained greater. Severity of maternal depression was related to lower child developmental outcomes in both VLBW groups. CONCLUSIONS: The impact of VLBW birth varies with child medical risk status, age, and developmental outcome. Follow-up programs should incorporate psychological screening and support services for mothers of VLBW infants in the immediate postnatal period, with monitoring of mothers of high-risk VLBW infants.
Lynn T. Singer (Wed,) studied this question.