Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 2, 2026

Modeling Encephalopathy of Prematurity Using Prenatal Hypoxia-ischemia with Intra-amniotic Lipopolysaccharide in Rats
Published on: November 20, 2015
[The experiences of parents with an ill premature baby]
Insights
Caring for a premature infant is a crisis for parents, causing significant emotional distress. Medical staff awareness of parental trauma is crucial for providing essential support and preventing social issues.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal care
- Parental mental health
- Psychosocial support
Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to identify and describe the experience of the parents of an ill premature infant in order to identify the needs of the parents going through this potential crisis. As a result of the constant medical and technological progress the percentage of premature infants is continually increasing. It is therefore of vital importance that the nursing and other medical staff are made aware of the trauma that these parents experience. This will enable them in giving adequate support and accompaniment in the prevention of social pathology. Unstructured in-depth interviews were held with five couples on two occasions. The first interview was held shortly after the birth of the premature infant. The second interview was held approximately two weeks after the baby was discharged from a private hospital in the Johannesburg region. The emotions of the parents were identified and compared. A literature study was done to consult other authors' findings on this topic. Recommendations were made at the end of the study concerning applications to practise, education and further research needed.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Parental Care
Ethical Dilemmas I
Let us explore some examples to understand the potentially complex moral decisions nurses face.
Take the case of caring for minors, particularly in areas related to reproductive...
Development of Immunocompetence
The initial cells that migrate from the fetal thymus settle within the skin and epithelial tissues lining the mouth, digestive tract, and in females, the uterus and vagina. These cells, including skin-based dendritic cells, serve as antigen-presenting cells, playing a key role in T cell activation.
Subsequent T...
Attachment
Development of the Oral Microbiota

