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Updated: Jul 15, 2026
19:15
Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
Published on: August 25, 2014
Parental Anxiety Trajectories 2 Years After NICU Discharge
Lois C Span1, Nienke H van Dokkum1, Hendrik J Ter Horst1
1Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Beatrix Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands.
Pediatrics
|July 13, 2026
Summary
High parental anxiety, especially in mothers, is common for infants treated in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Long-term mental health support is crucial for parents, regardless of infant complexity.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal care
- Parental mental health
- Psychological well-being
Background:
- Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission presents significant stress for parents.
- Parental mental health, particularly anxiety, can impact family well-being and infant outcomes.
- Longitudinal data on parental anxiety trajectories post-NICU discharge is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence and developmental course of anxiety in mothers and fathers of infants born preterm or with low birth weight.
- To identify potential perinatal and neonatal predictors of parental anxiety.
- To assess anxiety levels up to 24 months corrected age.
Main Methods:
- Prospective cohort study of 315 infants (gestational age < 30 weeks and/or birth weight < 1000 g).
- 298 mothers and 234 fathers completed the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) at 6, 12, and 24 months corrected age.
- Multilevel linear modeling and regression analyses were used to examine anxiety trends and predictors.
Main Results:
- At 6 months, 25.3% of mothers and 16.9% of fathers reported clinically significant anxiety, with mothers affected more frequently.
- Maternal anxiety prevalence decreased over time, while paternal anxiety remained stable; differences between parents were not significant after 6 months.
- No consistent associations were found between parental anxiety and perinatal/neonatal risk factors.
Conclusions:
- A significant number of parents, especially mothers, experience persistent anxiety after their infant's NICU stay.
- Findings highlight the need for ongoing mental health screening and support for parents of NICU graduates.
- Support should be provided irrespective of the infant's medical condition complexity.
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