Good two-year outcome for parents whose infants were admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit

To evaluate the psychological functioning in parents whose infants were admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) over the first 2 years of the infant's life.

Prospective 2-year follow-up study of a random selection of NICU and control families. At baseline, 9 months, and 2 years, all parents received a clinical interview. Infants underwent a pediatric examination and Bayley II neurodevelopmental assessment at 2 years. Psychological distress is defined as having one or more of the following criteria: any psychiatric diagnosis on the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview at 2 years; Edinburgh Post Natal Depression Scale score more than 12.5 at 2 years; Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale score more than 11.0 at 2 years, receiving treatment with antidepressants/psychotherapy/counselling over the previous 15 months.

Overall, 300 families of infants admitted to a NICU and 120 control families were approached to take part in the study. There was no difference in psychological distress in NICU parents (30.8%) vs control parents (28.2%). In fathers, there was no relationship between psychological distress and infant development measured using the Bayley II. In mothers, there was a relationship between psychological distress and the child's mental development, which was most significant in infants with severe developmental delay.

There are no significant long-term negative psychological effects on parents whose infants were admitted to a NICU. Should interventions for parents be offered, they should focus on mothers whose infants are likely to have significant mental health development problems whether or not their infant is admitted to a NICU.