Abstract
Longitudinal adjustment of families (n=86) to the impact of an apneic infant and a home monitoring system was examined utilizing a 28-item questionnaire administered during follow-up evaluations at six to eight months of age, over a 3-year period. Marital relationships remained the same for 50% of the families, 30% of the families felt the relationship was strengthened, while the remaining 20% felt the relationship worsened. None of the families were separated or divorced. These findings contrast with reports which indicated strained and worsening marital relationships. The apneic infant and monitoring system impacted significantly on job attendance, social life and anxiety levels. (p<<.01) Parents perceived conflict between grandparents, relatives and babysitters who were distanced, fearful and unwilling to assume primary (even short-term) responsibility for infant care, and felt overwhelmed by the responsibility for total infant care. Parental anger was focused on the monitor and apneic events and not on the infant. These findings indicate the importance of support and follow up for families with apneic infants who are on home monitoring systems.
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Bendell, R., McCaffree, M. & Mattice, C. THE EFFECT OF HOME MONITORING FOR APNEA. Pediatr Res 18 (Suppl 4), 101 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198404001-00049
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198404001-00049