Effect of prematurity on parental stress and family dynamics

The birth of a premature child represents a sudden and difficult change in family dynamics, where parents experience a disruption in their roles as their child is admitted to a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), where the care they can provide is limited and the outcome is uncertain. The high levels of stress they experience modifies their relationship with their child, impacting their child's later emotional and developmental growth.

To assess which factors related to parents and premature infants may significantly influence parental stress levels, family dynamics, and caregiver burden, and to understand how these factors affect them.

Longitudinal study conducted in the Neonatology Department of the Central University Hospital of Asturias (HUCA), a tertiary-level neonatal care center, during the year 2023.

Stress levels were found to increase significantly (p = .001) from admission (M = 37.5 points, 95% CI: 36.6-38.7) to three months post-discharge (M = 41.6 points, 95% CI: 40.2-43.1), and were higher in families with a medium-high socioeconomic level (at admission: OR = 3.4; 95% CI: 1.1-10.8; p = .026, and at discharge: OR = 5; 95% CI: 1.5-16.3; p = .006). Family dysfunction was observed in cases of twin pregnancies (at discharge: OR = 3.3; 95% CI: 1.1-10.1; p = .029), and in more than half of the cases, caregiver burden was not observed (79.1% at discharge and 77.6% at three months post-discharge).

Support and guidance from the multidisciplinary team responsible for premature newborns in NICUs is crucial, as well as the implementation of early interventions that help reduce parental stress and promote the proper development of their child.