Post-discharge infant care in respiratory distress syndrome: a maternal perspective over 6 months

Sharath Hullumani1, Irshad Qureshi2

  • 1Paedaitrics and Neonatal Physiotherapy, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research Deemed to be University, Wardha, MH, India sharathhullumani@gmail.com.

BMJ Case Reports
|October 17, 2025
PubMed

The importance of maternal involvement in the care of a preterm newborn after discharge from Neonatal Respiratory Distress Syndrome is demonstrated by this instance. With a birth weight of 2.99 lb at 34 weeks gestation, the baby needed NICU support, which included mechanical ventilation and surfactant therapy. The mother showed remarkable engagement after a stable discharge by attending follow-up appointments consistently, adhering to physiotherapy and vaccination regimens, and identifying minor ailments early. The infant met age-appropriate growth and developmental milestones over the 6 month follow-up period, and there were no significant problems or readmissions. The case highlights the vital role that maternal involvement in post-discharge care plays by demonstrating the favourable long-term effects that structured caregiver education, emotional support and empowerment may have on high-risk newborns.

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