Early prediction in the maternity hospital — The queen mary child care unit

For the past four years the Child Care Unit of Queen Mary Maternity Hospital in Dunedin, New Zealand has been evaluating mothers during the ante-natal period in an attempt to predict those who might subsequently exhibit severe parenting difficulties. Over a 13 month period 200 patients were seen and detailed information obtained by way of interview and questionnaire. The information was assessed by the team and recommendations formulated. A description of the process is included in the text. Of the 200 patients, 18.5% were adjudged to be high risk (A) 26% moderate risk (B); 35.5% low risk (C) and 20% at no risk (D). They have been followed up for periods of between three months and 12 months. Reports from the primary community workers are received every three months. The reports are considered and if necessary the risk coding changed. To date, 32.4% of those predicted ‘A’ are no longer caring for their baby compared with 2.8% coded ‘D’ who have relinquished care. Other comments on the coding are made The paper concludes with some observations on the sample of 200 including their experience of the education system, the effect of admission of the baby to the neonatal intensive care unit on the parents' performance; and the parents' proposed methods of child rearing.