Symptoms of acute stress disorder in mothers of premature infants.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

: To determine whether significant symptoms of acute stress disorder (ASD) are present in mothers of premature infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

SUBJECTS:

: Forty mothers of premature infants born less than 33 weeks and admitted into NICU.

DESIGN:

: Prospective, cohort, within-subjects.

METHODS:

: Mothers completed the Stanford Acute Stress Reaction Questionnaire, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, and the Acute Stress Disorder Interview to explore the number and severity of stress-related symptoms at 2 separate time periods, 7 to 10 days after birth, and 1 month after birth.

RESULTS:

: Twenty-eight percent of the mothers met diagnostic criteria of ASD at 7 to 10 days after birth, and at 1 month after birth ASD symptoms persisted. The majority of the mothers described premature birth as a traumatic stressor. The most commonly met criteria were dissociation and anxiety. Significant symptoms of depression were found in 43% of mothers and persisted 1 month after birth. Rates of depression and moderate to severe symptoms of ASD were significantly related in mothers at 1 week and at 1 month after birth.

CONCLUSIONS:

: The premature birth experience is traumatic for mothers and may lead to various emotional responses including stress-related symptoms such as depression and/or ASD. Mothers with significant symptoms of depression and those with symptoms of stress seem to be more at risk for developing symptoms of ASD.

• Authors: Jodi Jubinville, Christine Newburn-Cook, Kathleen Hegadoren, Thierry Lacaze-Masmonteil
• Journal: Advances in neonatal care : official journal of the National Association of Neonatal Nurses (Adv Neonatal Care) Vol. 12 Issue 4 Pg. 246-53 (Aug 2012) ISSN: 1536-0911 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 22864005 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Topics

• Adult
• Cohort Studies
• Depression (diagnosis, psychology)
• Female
• Humans
• Infant, Newborn
• Infant, Premature
• Intensive Care Units, Neonatal
• Mothers (psychology)
• Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
• Puerperal Disorders (diagnosis, epidemiology)
• Stress Disorders, Traumatic, Acute (diagnosis, epidemiology)