Some factors affecting mother-child relationships following low birthweight delivery in a Nigerian sociocultural environment.

Twenty mothers with low birthweight babies, cared for in neonatal unit and kept in incubators (as index group) and 20 mothers with full-term babies (as control group) were studied to determine the extent of maternal separation and deprivation following delivery and the effects of these on mother-child relationships. The population was prospectively sampled and an interview method using a structured questionnaire, was adopted to obtain the information for the study. The result showed a delayed post-partum contact, negative reactions and some delays in maternal attachment in mothers of premature infants. Nevertheless, some degree of adjustment in the mother-child relationship, as shown by some positive perceptions of the infants, took place 6 months after leaving hospital. Other social and cultural factors that may contribute to the negative reactions of the mothers to premature delivery are highlighted.