Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Original Article
  • Published:

Antenatal diagnosis of congenital anomaly: a really traumatic experience?

Journal of Perinatology volume 31, pages 760–763 (2011)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Objective:

With increasing use of routine prenatal ultrasound, prenatal counseling after diagnosis of congenital malformations is frequently offered to prospective parents. We aimed to assess if the communication of diagnosis of a congenital anomaly in the fetus meets American Psychiatric Association (APA) criteria for trauma in parents.

Study Design:

In the period ranging from 2003 to 2009 a preliminary investigation was conducted with 165 prospective mothers and 91 prospective fathers being interviewed after communication of diagnosis. Analysis of statements was made independently by two psychologists considering the APA definition of trauma.

Result:

A total of 145 mothers and 76 fathers experienced the communication of diagnosis in their fetus as a traumatic event. There was no correlation between type of malformation and trauma nor was there statistical difference between mother and father regarding the stressor.

Conclusion:

Communication of diagnosis of a fetal anomaly can be a traumatic event and should be dealt with consequently. Given the therapeutic value of sharing traumatic experience such practice should be encouraged as part of the consultation process.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

  • Purchase on Springer Link
  • Instant access to full article PDF
Buy now

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. American Psychological Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder. American Psychiatric Publishing Inc: Washington DC, 1994.

  2. Shaw R, Bernard M, DeBlois T, Ikuta L, Karni RN, Koopman C . The relationship between acute stress disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder in the neonatal intensive care unit. Psychosomatics 2009; 50: 131–137.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Bellini S . NICU families and PTSD: handle with care. Nurs Womens Health 2009; 13: 422–426.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Jackson J, Hart R, Gordon S, Hopkins R, Girard T, Ely W . Post-traumatic stress disorder and post-traumatic stress symptoms following critical illness in medical intensive care unit patients: assessing the magnitude of the problem. Critical Care 2007; 11: 1–11.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Bronner M, Knoester H, Bos A, Last B, Grootenhuis M . Follow-up after paediatric intensive care treatment: parental posttraumatic stress. Acta Pediatrica 2008; 97: 181–186.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Holditch-Davis D, Bartlett TR, Blickman AL, Miles MS . Posttraumatic stress symptoms in mothers of premature infants. J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nur 2003; 32: 161–171.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Demeier RJ, Hynan MT, Harris HB, Maniello RL . Perinatal stressor as predictors of symptoms of posttraumatic stress in mothers of high-risk infants. J Perinatol 1996; 16: 276–280.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Zeanah CH, Canger CI, Jones JD . Clinical approaches to traumatized parents: psychotherapy in intensive care nursery. Child Psychiatry Hum Dev 1984; 14: 158–169.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Koler A, Burke BM . Grieving the wanted child: ramifications of abortion after prenatal diagnosis of abnormality. Health Care Women Int 1993; 14: 513–526.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Matthews AL . Known fetal malformations during pregnancy: a human experience of loss. Birth Defects Original Article Series 1990; 26: 168–175.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Sandelowski M, Jones LC . Couples’ evaluations of foreknowledge of fetal impairment. Clin Nurs Res 1996; 5: 81–96.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Leithner K, Assem-Hilger E, Fischer-Kern M, Loffler-Stastka H, Thien R, Ponocny-Seliger E . Prenatal care: the patient's perspective. A qualitative study. Prenat Diagn 2006; 26: 931–937.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Leithner K, Maar A, Maritsch F . Experience with a psychological help service for women following a prenatal diagnosis: results of a follow-up study. J Psychosom Obstet Gynaecol 2002; 23: 183–192.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Leithner K, Maar A, Fischer-Kern M, Hilger E, Loffler-Stastka H, Pococny-Seliger E . Affective state of women following a prenatal diagnosis: predictors of a negative psychological outcome. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2004; 23: 240–246.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Kemp J, Davenport M, Pernet A . Antenatally diagnosed surgical anomalies: the psychological effect of parental antenatal counselling. J Pediatr Surg 1997; 33: 1376–1379.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Aite L, Trucchi A, Nahom A, Spina V, Bilancioni E, Bagolan P . Multidisciplinary managment of fetal surgical anomalies: the impact on maternal anxiety. Eur J Pediatr Surg 2002; 12: 90–94.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Hunfeld JA, Tempels A, Passchier J, Hazebroek Fw, Tibboel D . Brief report: parental burden and grief one year after the birth of a child with a congenital anomaly. J Pediatr Psychol 1994; 24: 5515–5520.

    Google Scholar 

  18. Skari H, Malt UF, Bjornald K, Egeland T, Haugen G, Emblem R et al. Prenatal diagnosis of congenital malformations and parental psychological distress: a prospective longitudinal cohort study. Prenat Diagn 2006; 26: 1001–1009.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Rose S, Bisson J, Wessely S . A systematic review of single session psychological interventions (debrifing) following trauma. Psychothera Psychosom 2003; 72: 176–184.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Ballard CG, Stanley AK, Brockington IF . Posttraumatic stress disorder after childbirth. Br J Psychiatry 1995; 166: 525–528.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Leifer M . Psychological changes accompanying pregnancy and motherhood. Genet Psychol Monogr 1977; 95: 55–96.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Ballou J . The Psychology of Pregnancy: Reconciliation and Resolution. Lexington Books: Lexington, MA, 1978.

    Google Scholar 

  23. Lerum CW, Lo Biondo G . The relationship of maternal age, quickening, and physical symptoms of pregnancy to the development of maternal-fetal attachment. Birth 1989; 1: 13–17.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Kemp VH . Maternal prenatal attachment in normal and high-risk pregnancies. J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs 1987; 16: 179–184.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Hedrick J . The lived experience of pregnancy while carrying a child with a known, non lethal congenital abnormality. JOGNN 2005; 34: 732–740.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Aite L, Zaccara A, Nahom A, Trucchi A, Iacobelli B, Bagolan P . Mothers’ adaptation to antenatal diagnosis of surgically correctable anomaly. Early Hum Dev 2006; 82: 649–653.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Jotzo CM, Poets F . Helping parents cope with the trauma of premature birth: an evaluation of a trauma-preventive psychological intervention. Pediatrics 2005; 115: 915–919.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Carter JD, Mulder RT, Bartram AF, Darlow BA . Infants in a neonatal intensive care unit: parental response. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed 2005; 90: 109–113.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Shaw R, DeBlois T, Ikuta L, Ginzburg K, Fleisher B, Koopman C . Acute stress disorder among parents of infants in the neonatal intensive care nursery. Psychosomatics 2006; 47: 206–212.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Rowan C, Bick D, Bastos MH . Postnatal debriefing interventions to prevent maternal mental health problems after birth; the gap between the evidence and UK policy and practice. Worldviews Evid Based Nurs 2007; 4: 97–105.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Gamble JA, Creedy DK, Webster J, Moyle W . A review of the literature on debriefing or non directive counselling to prevent postpartum emotional distress. Midwifery 2002; 18: 72–79.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Amir N, Stafford J, Freshmn MS, Foa EB . Relationship between trauma narratives and trauma pathology. J Trauma Stress 1998; 11: 385–392.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Neonatal surgery Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy

    L Aite, A Nahom, A Trucchi & P Bagolan

  2. Department of Urology, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy

    A Zaccara

  3. Epidemiology Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy

    N Mirante

  4. NICU, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy

    I Capolupo

Authors
  1. L Aite
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. A Zaccara
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. N Mirante
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. A Nahom
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. A Trucchi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. I Capolupo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. P Bagolan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to L Aite.

Ethics declarations

Competing interests

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Supplementary Information accompanies the paper on the Journal of Perinatology website

Supplementary information

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Aite, L., Zaccara, A., Mirante, N. et al. Antenatal diagnosis of congenital anomaly: a really traumatic experience?. J Perinatol 31, 760–763 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2011.22

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2011.22

Keywords

This article is cited by

Search

Advanced search

Quick links