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Updated: Jun 20, 2026

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Effects of Webcam Access to Preterm Infants in NICUs on Parental Psychological Strain

Laura Mause1, Jan Hoffmann1, Till Dresbach2

  • 1Chair of Health Services Research, Institute of Medical Sociology, Health Services Research and Rehabilitation Science (IMVR), Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.

Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)
|January 17, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Webcam access for parents with infants in neonatal intensive care units did not significantly impact postpartum depression or stress. The study found no negative or positive effects on parental psychological strain from webcam use.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) care
  • Parental mental health
  • Telemedicine in healthcare

Background:

  • Infants born with low birth weight (<1500g) require intensive care.
  • Parental psychological well-being is crucial during neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) stays.
  • Webcam technology offers a potential tool for parental engagement.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine if parental webcam access in the NICU affects postpartum depression and stress.
  • To evaluate the psychological impact of remote infant monitoring on parents.

Main Methods:

  • A multi-center, cross-over pragmatic randomized controlled trial was conducted.
  • Parents of infants admitted to the NICU were assigned to either early or late webcam access.
  • Postpartum depression and stress were measured using validated scales at four time points.

Main Results:

  • Analysis included 229 mothers and 211 fathers/partners.
  • Webcam access did not show a significant effect on postpartum depression symptoms.
  • Parental stress levels were not significantly altered by webcam access.

Conclusions:

  • Webcam access in the NICU has neutral effects on parental psychological strain.
  • Further research is recommended to explore the influence of individual preferences and physical presence.
  • The findings suggest current webcam implementations do not mitigate or exacerbate parental stress and depression.
Abstract

Keywords:
NICUfamily integrated careparental depressionparental stressvirtual visitation

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