A Family Census Evaluating Parental Presence and Activities at a Tertiary Surgical Neonatal Unit
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Updated: Nov 4, 2026
Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
Published on: August 25, 2014
Catherine Douch1, Safaa Eldeeb1, Eva M Loucaides1,2
1Department of Neonatology, St George's University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
Aims:
Neonatal unit (NNU) admission can adversely affect parental confidence, breastfeeding, attachment and mental health. Family Integrated Care (FICare) promotes parents as primary caregivers and may improve outcomes.
Methods:
To establish baseline practice before FICare, a 14-day parental presence census was conducted in a tertiary surgical NNU in South London. Parents self-recorded presence and activities. Analyses characterised presence and engagement by infant and care characteristics.
Results:
41/60 (68%) infants participated, contributing 338 care-days. Mothers were present on 92% of care-days (mean 7.6 h/day) and fathers on 62% (4.1 h/day). Overall parental presence averaged 7.9 h/day, peaking 11:00-18:00. Presence was lowest in intensive care (5.9 h/day) and highest among families rooming-in (14.8 h/day). Presence decreased with distance from hospital and was lower among families with siblings or a non-English primary language. Caregiving activities averaged 5.8/day, increasing with infant age before declining after 8 weeks.
Conclusion:
Parental presence varied with infant clinical status, age and family circumstances. On-site accommodation was associated with increased presence, highlighting infrastructure's importance in facilitating FICare. Distance, childcare and language create inequitable participation. Findings provide baseline data to inform support and FICare interventions.