Assessing the Impact of Different Levels of Parental Involvement in the NICU on Neonatal Outcomes and Parental Mental Health

Abstract

Background: Parental involvement in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) has been recognized as crucial for neonatal outcomes and parental mental health. Materials and Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted, involving 300 neonates admitted to the NICU over 1 year. Parental involvement was categorized into three levels: high, moderate, and low, based on the frequency and intensity of parental participation in neonatal care. Neonatal outcomes including the length of hospital stay, incidence of complications, and parental mental health outcomes measured through standardized scales were compared among the three groups. Results: Neonates with high parental involvement had a significantly shorter length of hospital stay (mean difference = 5 days, P < 0.001) compared to those with moderate or low involvement. Complication rates were also lower in the high involvement group (20%) compared to moderate (35%) and low (45%) involvement groups. Parental mental health scores were the highest in the high involvement group (mean score = 75), followed by moderate (mean score = 60) and low (mean score = 45) involvement groups. Conclusion: Higher levels of parental involvement in the NICU are associated with improved neonatal outcomes and better parental mental health.

Keywords

• neonatal intensive care unit
• neonatal outcomes
• parental involvement
• parental mental health
• premature infants