Maternal infant bonding in tracheostomy dependent infants: A cross sectional study

To report the current state of maternal infant bonding (MIB) in mothers of tracheostomy-dependent infants and identify demographic factors associated with MIB.

A cross-sectional study was conducted at a pediatric tertiary care hospital. Mothers of tracheostomy-dependent children below the age of two, seen during the 24 months prior to June 2021, were recruited to participate. The exclusion criteria consisted of clinical instability of the infant at the time of recruitment or lack of custody. The Maternal Infant Bonding Questionnaire (MIBQ) was administered to biological mothers. The possible range of scores was 0-24 with higher scores indicating poorer bonding. Mean MIBQ scores, as well as elevated MIBQ scores (greater than 0), were evaluated with respect to patient demographic and clinical characteristics.

Of 46 eligible participants, the response rate was 6 7% (n = 31). The median maternal age was 30 (IQR:8.5), and the median infant age was 15 months (IQR: 7.5). The mean MIBQ score in the tracheostomy-dependent infant population was 1.38 (SD: 1.96), and 45% had a score greater than 0. The mean MIBQ of our cohort was not statistically different from the control group of healthy infants. Elevated MIBQ scores signaling poorer bonding were seen in caregivers of infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia and older caregivers. Preliminary evidence suggests that caregivers of infants with mechanical ventilation and neurologic comorbidities may have improved bonding compared to other tracheostomized infants. MIBQ scores were not associated with other sociodemographic or clinical characteristics, such as gestational age at birth, previous history of psychiatric illness, admission status or sociodemographic characteristics.

We observe a mean MIBQ score of 1.38 in mothers of tracheostomy-dependent infants. Efforts to improve bonding may aid infant development and maternal affect.