Katrin Mehler1, Annika Mainusch2, Eva Hucklenbruch-Rother2, Moritz Hahn3, Christoph Hünseler2, Angela Kribs2. 1. Department of Neonatology, University of Cologne Children's Hospital, Cologne, Germany. Electronic address: Katrin.Mehler@uk-koeln.de. 2. Department of Neonatology, University of Cologne Children's Hospital, Cologne, Germany. 3. Institute of Medical Statistics, Informatics and Epidemiology, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Moderately and late preterm infants represent a considerable and increasing proportion of infants cared for in neonatal departments worldwide. Parents of preterm infants are at risk of postpartal depression (PPD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and preterm infants are at risk of developmental impairment. AIM: This study aimed to assess (1) the incidence of parental PPD and PTSD in moderate to late preterm infants in comparison to full-term infants and (2) the influence of infants' motor repertoire assessed by Prechtl's general movements and illness severity on parental PPD and PTSD. SUBJECTS: We studied 60 mothers and 56 fathers of 69 preterm infants (born at 32 to 37 weeks of gestation) and 32 mothers and 29 fathers of 34 full-term infants. OUTCOME MEASURES: We assessed the incidence of parental PPD, PTSD and perceived social support as well as infants' illness severity and motor repertoire at birth, term and 3 months corrected age. RESULTS: Preterm mothers and fathers had significant higher depression scores after birth compared to full-term parents (p=0.033 and 0.021). Preterm fathers also had higher traumatization scores compared to full-term fathers (p=0.007). Probable or possible PPD/PTSD was not associated with infant's illness severity or quality of motor repertoire. No differences in motor development were found between preterm and full-term infants. CONCLUSION: Moderate to late preterm infants' parents are at increased risk for PPD irrespective of infants' motor repertoire or illness severity.
BACKGROUND: Moderately and late preterm infants represent a considerable and increasing proportion of infants cared for in neonatal departments worldwide. Parents of preterm infants are at risk of postpartal depression (PPD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and preterm infants are at risk of developmental impairment. AIM: This study aimed to assess (1) the incidence of parental PPD and PTSD in moderate to late preterm infants in comparison to full-term infants and (2) the influence of infants' motor repertoire assessed by Prechtl's general movements and illness severity on parental PPD and PTSD. SUBJECTS: We studied 60 mothers and 56 fathers of 69 preterm infants (born at 32 to 37 weeks of gestation) and 32 mothers and 29 fathers of 34 full-term infants. OUTCOME MEASURES: We assessed the incidence of parental PPD, PTSD and perceived social support as well as infants' illness severity and motor repertoire at birth, term and 3 months corrected age. RESULTS: Preterm mothers and fathers had significant higher depression scores after birth compared to full-term parents (p=0.033 and 0.021). Preterm fathers also had higher traumatization scores compared to full-term fathers (p=0.007). Probable or possible PPD/PTSD was not associated with infant's illness severity or quality of motor repertoire. No differences in motor development were found between preterm and full-term infants. CONCLUSION: Moderate to late preterm infants' parents are at increased risk for PPD irrespective of infants' motor repertoire or illness severity.
Authors: Juliana Arantes Figueiredo de Paula Eduardo; Felipe Pinheiro Figueiredo; Marcos Gonçalves de Rezende; Daiane Leite da Roza; Stella Felippe de Freitas; Rosangela Fernandes Lucena Batista; Antônio Augusto Moura da Silva; Marco Antônio Barbieri; Ricardo Carvalho Cavalli; Heloisa Bettiol; Alexandre Archanjo Ferraro; Cristina Marta Del-Ben Journal: Arch Womens Ment Health Date: 2022-07-18 Impact factor: 4.405