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What do parents of preterm infants know about diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis immunizations?
1Department of Pediatrics and Center for Biostatistics, University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Insights
Many parents of preterm infants lack accurate immunization knowledge. Educating parents about timely infant immunizations is crucial for their child
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Pediatric Public Health
- Immunology
Background:
- Preterm infants frequently experience delayed or reduced-dose immunizations.
- Parental understanding of immunization schedules for premature infants is often suboptimal.
- Accurate immunization knowledge is vital for protecting vulnerable infants from vaccine-preventable diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the knowledge of parents with preterm infants regarding immunization timing and requirements.
- To identify common misconceptions among parents of preterm infants concerning vaccinations.
- To inform strategies for improving immunization education for this population.
Main Methods:
- A survey questionnaire was distributed to parents attending a Neonatal Follow-up Clinic.
- The study included 112 families who returned the completed survey.
- Data analysis focused on parental responses regarding immunization age, prematurity, and weight criteria.
Main Results:
- Only 45% of parents correctly understood that preterm infants should be immunized at the same chronological age as full-term infants.
- Approximately 40% of parents believed the degree of prematurity influenced immunization timing.
- Over 25% of parents thought a minimum weight was necessary before immunization could commence.
Conclusions:
- Parents of preterm infants often possess significant misinformation regarding immunization schedules.
- Current information dissemination from healthcare providers (NICU, follow-up clinics, public health nurses) appears insufficient.
- Integrating comprehensive immunization information into Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) discharge planning is recommended to improve parental knowledge and ensure timely vaccinations.
Abstract:
Preterm infants often receive immunizations late or in reduced dosage. The purpose of this study was to describe the knowledge of parents of preterm infants about immunizations. We sent a questionnaire to the parents of preterm infants who attended our Neonatal Follow-up Clinic. Of the 112 families who returned the survey, only 45% correctly answered that preterm infants should be immunized at the same age as full-term infants. Nearly 40% of parents stated that "how premature the baby was" influenced time of immunization. Over 25% reported that the infant had to reach a minimum weight to be immunized. Parents who received information from neonatal intensive care or Neonatal Follow-up Clinic staff or a public health nurse were not more correctly informed about immunizations. Parents of prematures often are not correctly informed about immunizations. Information about immunizations for preterm infants should be incorporated into NICU discharge planning.