Journal List > Korean J Perinatol > v.25(2) > 1013736

Eun Sun Ji, Byun, Park, and Kim: Study on the Effects of the Family Support in the Very Low Birth Weight Infants Follow-Up – Focus on Dodam Dodam Bring-Up Center –

Abstract

Purpose

After discharge from the hospital, very low birth weight infants require care consultation, information, and interaction and so forth, due to sequelae, different growth and developmental pattern; which increase the burdens and the worries of patients in nurturing them. With the counseling of experts in the related fields, the authors and the Food for the Hungry have run a department of childcare for a year, emphasizing on more family support than extreme early detection of disabilities. This study reports on relieving child care anxiety, promoting growth and development, educating parents on home treatment of sequelae, finding and coping with minor disabilities.

Methods

The subjects were chosen among infants under 1,500 g of birth weight and younger than a corrected age of 6 months. Meetings were held once in a month for a year. Infant care support classes were taught by experts in their fields including a music therapist (with play program), neonatologist, a children’s nurse, a child-care director, a clinical psychologist, a rehabilitation therapist, a social worker and, a nutritionist. Within the self-dependent groups, the families were able to share their concerns and experiences on child-caring. Second home visits were carried out to monitor home oxygen therapy, tube feeding, cerebral palsy signs, and to find neglect or abuse in suspected cases.

Results

Fifty-one infants participated; the average weight was 1,060 g, the average gestational age was 27 weeks and 2 days. Eighteen were boys and 23 girls. The average age of the mothers was 33.4, and there were 26 appropriate for gestational age, 8 small for gestational age, and, 5 large for gestational age. Twenty three were first-born, 13 were second-born, 1 was third-born, and twins were 4 pairs. Home visits were done in 33 families, and secondary visits were done in 6 families. The depression score of mothers in the attendant group decreased from 10.47±5.18 to 8.18±5.87 (P=0.080).

Conclusion

The depression score of mothers in the attendant group decreased after infant care support classes.

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Fig. 1.
View of the bring-up center meeting.
kjp-25-75-f1.tif
Table 1.
Demographics of the Participants
Factors N=51
Gestational age (mean, wks) 27+2
Birth weight (mean, g) 1,060
Gender (Male/Female) 18/23
NSVD / C-sec 13/37
Maternal age (yrs) 33.4
Order of birth
1st 23
2nd 13
3rd 1
Twin 6
AGA/SGA/LGA 26/8/5
Transfer for delivery 22%

Abbreviations : NSVD, normal spontaneous vaginal delivery; AGA, appropriate for gestational age; SGA, small for gestational age; LGA, large for gestational age.

Table 2.
Effect of Maternal Depression Score for the Attendance
Factors Before Meetings After Meetings F P
Attendance group (n=22) 10.47±5.18 (M±SD) 8.18±5.87 3.212 0.080
Control group (n=16) 10.41±7.21 11.17±4.48

M±SD, Mean±Standard deviation

Table 3.
Difference of Maternal Depression Score for the Frequency of the Attendance
Factors Depression score Z P
Below 4 times (n=16) 9.37±5.14 (M±SD) –0.968 0.342
More than 5 times (n=11) 6.45±2.76

M±SD, Mean±Standard deviation

Table 4.
Correlation of the Depression Score and the Frequency of the Attendance
Factors No. of attendance Depression score
No. of attendance 1.00 –0.008 (.968)
Depression score –0.008(.968) 1.00
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