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The perceived attractiveness of preterm infants with cranial molding
1University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City 52242.
Insights
Preterm infants with cranial molding were perceived as less attractive. Early intervention and parental education on preventing and managing molding can support infant bonding and parental attachment.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal care
- Developmental psychology
Background:
- Postnatal cranial molding is a common condition in preterm infants.
- Infant appearance may influence parental bonding and attachment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the perceived attractiveness of preterm infants with and without cranial molding.
- To explore the implications of infant appearance on parental attachment.
Main Methods:
- Forty-two subjects viewed infant photographs.
- Subjects rated the attractiveness of preterm infants with cranial molding versus preterm and full-term infants without molding.
Main Results:
- Preterm infants with postnatal cranial molding were rated as the least attractive group.
- This finding supports the hypothesis that infant appearance impacts bonding.
Conclusions:
- Nurses should educate parents on preventing cranial molding using methods like waterbed mattresses.
- Counseling may be necessary for parents experiencing distress over infant appearance discrepancies.
Abstract:
A study was conducted to compare the perceived attractiveness of preterm infants with postnatal cranial molding to that of preterm and full-term infants without this deformation. Forty-two subjects who viewed photographs of infants selected preterm infants with postnatal cranial molding as the least attractive group of infants. Researchers have hypothesized that infant appearance is an antecedent to bonding and attachment. Nurses should implement measures such as the use of waterbed mattresses, which have been found to minimize the molding process, and include discussion of this measure when teaching parents about their preterm infants so that they are aware of causes and prevention of cranial molding. If an infant has developed postnatal cranial molding, the parents may require counseling to assist them in resolving their feelings about the discrepancy in the appearance of the infant and what they had anticipated prenatally.