Marie-Hélène Pennestri1, Hélène Gaudreau1, Andrée-Anne Bouvette-Turcot1, Ellen Moss2, Vanessa Lecompte2, Leslie Atkinson3, John Lydon4, Meir Steiner5, Michael J Meaney1. 1. Ludmer Center for Neuroinformatics and Mental Health, McGill University, Hôpital Douglas, Projet MAVAN, Bureau E-4107, 6875 Boulevard Lsalle, Verdun H4H 1R3, Canada. 2. Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal, C.P. 8888 Succursale Centre-Ville, Montreal H3C 3P8, Canada. 3. Department of Psychology, Ryerson University, 350 Victoria Street, Toronto M5B 2K3, Canada. 4. Department of Psychology, McGill University, Stewart Biology Building, 1205 Dr. Penfield Avenue, Montreal H3A 1B1, Canada. 5. St. Joseph's Hospital, Hamilton L8N 4A6, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, McMaster University, 50 Charlton Ave. E., Hamilton L8N 4A6, Canada.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Preterm children have been reported to be at higher risk to develop attachment insecurity. AIMS: The present study aimed to investigate potential differences in attachment security between newborns who were sent to Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and those who were not, in a population of full-term children. STUDY DESIGN: Participants (162 mother-child dyads) were part of a longitudinal study (MAVAN). Twenty-three of these children received special care at birth (NICU group). Attachment security was assessed at 36 months with the Strange Situation Procedure. Socio-economic status (SES), birth weight, maternal mood, maternal sensitivity, mental/psychomotor developmental indexes, Apgar scores, presence of complications during delivery and infant general health were assessed. RESULTS: In the No-NICU group, 55.4% of children were securely attached, 24.5% were insecure and 20.1% were disorganized. However, in the NICU group, 43.5% of children were securely attached, 8.7% were insecure and 47.8% were disorganized (χ(2)=9.0; p=.01). The only differences between the 2 groups were a lower Apgar, more respiratory infections and more visits to walk-in clinic/hospital (p's<.05) and a trend for lower SES and more ear infections in the NICU group. Logistic regressions revealed an odds ratio of 6.1 (p=.003) of developing a disorganized attachment after a stay in NICU, when controlling for these confounding variables. CONCLUSION: Newborns who were admitted to NICU have an odds ratio of about 6 to develop a disorganized attachment at 36 months. These preliminary results support the importance of supportive parental proximity and contact with the infant in the NICU and possible after-care.
BACKGROUND: Preterm children have been reported to be at higher risk to develop attachment insecurity. AIMS: The present study aimed to investigate potential differences in attachment security between newborns who were sent to Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and those who were not, in a population of full-term children. STUDY DESIGN:Participants (162 mother-child dyads) were part of a longitudinal study (MAVAN). Twenty-three of these children received special care at birth (NICU group). Attachment security was assessed at 36 months with the Strange Situation Procedure. Socio-economic status (SES), birth weight, maternal mood, maternal sensitivity, mental/psychomotor developmental indexes, Apgar scores, presence of complications during delivery and infant general health were assessed. RESULTS: In the No-NICU group, 55.4% of children were securely attached, 24.5% were insecure and 20.1% were disorganized. However, in the NICU group, 43.5% of children were securely attached, 8.7% were insecure and 47.8% were disorganized (χ(2)=9.0; p=.01). The only differences between the 2 groups were a lower Apgar, more respiratory infections and more visits to walk-in clinic/hospital (p's<.05) and a trend for lower SES and more ear infections in the NICU group. Logistic regressions revealed an odds ratio of 6.1 (p=.003) of developing a disorganized attachment after a stay in NICU, when controlling for these confounding variables. CONCLUSION: Newborns who were admitted to NICU have an odds ratio of about 6 to develop a disorganized attachment at 36 months. These preliminary results support the importance of supportive parental proximity and contact with the infant in the NICU and possible after-care.
Authors: D Peterson; S B Hoffman; D El-Metwally; M Martino-Gomez; D R Chinta; C Hughes Driscoll Journal: J Perinatol Date: 2017-09-07 Impact factor: 2.521
Authors: Femke Lammertink; Christiaan H Vinkers; Maria L Tataranno; Manon J N L Benders Journal: Front Psychiatry Date: 2021-01-08 Impact factor: 4.157
Authors: Bárbara Moreno-Sanz; María Teresa Montes; Marta Antón; María Teresa Serrada; Marta Cabrera; Adelina Pellicer Journal: Front Pediatr Date: 2021-06-09 Impact factor: 3.418