Parent experiences and developmental outcomes following neonatal stroke

Area of Science:

• Neuropsychology
• Developmental Pediatrics
• Child Psychology

Background:

• Neonatal stroke presents complex challenges for children and families.
• Understanding parental perspectives on prognosis and outcomes is crucial for care.
• Neuropsychological assessment informs developmental trajectories and support needs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To document parental recall of early prognostic discussions following neonatal stroke.
• To investigate links between initial prognoses, current neurodevelopmental status, and parental mental health.

Main Methods:

• Thirty parents of children with neonatal stroke completed the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS) and Parent Experiences Questionnaire (PEQ).
• Children underwent neurodevelopmental/neuropsychological assessments.
• Data were analyzed to identify correlations between parental recall, child outcomes, and parent mental health.

Main Results:

• Parents recalled more discussions on motor, language, and cognitive outcomes than social, behavioral, or mental health impacts.
• Many parents recalled initially poor prognoses, yet children showed better-than-expected outcomes at 3 years.
• Parental depression, anxiety, and stress were linked to higher child externalizing symptoms; no links found with internalizing symptoms or neurodevelopmental status.

Conclusions:

• Neuropsychologists play a key role in educating families and monitoring outcomes after neonatal stroke.
• Mental health support for parents of children with neonatal stroke is essential.
• Environmental factors significantly influence a child's functioning beyond the initial stroke event.