Parenting stress among parents of children with congenital diaphragmatic hernia

Area of Science:

• Pediatric surgery
• Neonatal care
• Child psychology

Background:

• Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a serious birth defect requiring intensive medical intervention.
• Long-term survival rates for CDH have improved, but the psychological impact on families remains a significant concern.
• Understanding parental stress is crucial for developing effective family support strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the levels and predictors of parental stress in parents of children diagnosed with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH).
• To identify specific factors associated with increased parental stress in this population.
• To compare stress levels between mothers and fathers of children with CDH.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 41 parents of long-term survivors of CDH (diagnosed between 2005-2009) participated.
• Participants completed the Swedish Parenthood Stress Questionnaire (SPSQ).
• Data were supplemented with information from medical records.

Main Results:

• Parents of CDH children requiring ECMO or prolonged hospitalization reported significantly higher overall parental stress.
• Mothers reported higher overall parental stress compared to fathers.
• Prenatal diagnosis of CDH and lower parental education levels were associated with increased stress in certain factors.

Conclusions:

• Parental stress in CDH appears to correlate with the severity of the malformation and treatment intensity.
• Mothers consistently report higher levels of parental stress than fathers.
• These findings highlight the need for targeted psychosocial support for families of children with CDH.