Parenting stress among parents of children with congenital diaphragmatic hernia

Purpose The aim of this study was to examine parental stress among parents of children with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). Methods Between 2005 and 2009, a total of 51 children with CDH were treated at Astrid Lindgren Children’s Hospital. The survival rate at discharge was 86% and long-term survival rate 80%. One parent each of the long-term survivors (41 children) was included in the present study, and 34 parents (83%) agreed to participate. Participants received the Swedish Parenthood Stress Questionnaire (SPSQ). The questionnaire was supplemented by data from case records. Results Parents of children with CDH, who had been supported by ECMO or had a long hospital stay, showed significantly higher overall parental stress. Mothers scored an overall higher parental stress compared with fathers. A prenatal diagnosis of CDH or lower parental educational level resulted in significantly higher parental stress in some of the factors. Conclusions Parental stress in parents of children with CDH seems to increase with the severity of the child’s malformation. Mothers tend to score higher parental stress than fathers.