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A different kind of battle: the effects of NICU admission on military parent mental health

Journal of Perinatology volume 41, pages 2038–2047 (2021)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Objective

To determine the incidence of mental health symptoms in military families after prolonged NICU admission.

Study design

Prospective cohort study of military-affiliated NICU parents participating in serial electronic surveys, which included validated screening tools for acute stress (ASD), post-traumatic stress (PTSD), and depression disorders.

Results

Among 106 military parents surveyed after NICU admission, 24.5% screened positive for ASD and 28.3% for depression. 77 (72.6%) parents continued participation beyond discharge, with 7.8% screening positive for PTSD and 15.6% for late depression. Positive ASD correlated with later symptoms of PTSD (OR 8.4 [2.4–30]) and early depression with both PTSD symptoms (OR 5.7 [1.7–18.8]) and late depression (OR 8.4 [2.4–30]) after discharge. Secondary analysis determined these findings were independent of deployment and other military related factors.

Conclusion

This study highlights the potential mental health burden experienced by military-affiliated NICU parents. Early ASD and depression screening may identify parents at risk for mental health symptoms after discharge.

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Funding source

The 59th Medical Wing (Joint Base San Antonio, Lackland, TX) and Brooke Army Medical Center Auxiliary Group provided funding for this study.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, TX, USA

    Joshua Anchan, Jay Aden, Sarah Ditch & Donia Blauvelt

  2. Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA

    Joshua Anchan, Shallimar Jones, Sarah Ditch, Donia Blauvelt & Nicholas Carr

  3. Pediatrix Medical Group of Savannah, Savannah, GA, USA

    Angela Fagiana

  4. Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA

    Maria Cristina Gallup

  5. University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA

    Nicholas Carr

Authors
  1. Joshua Anchan
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  2. Shallimar Jones
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  4. Sarah Ditch
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  5. Angela Fagiana
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  6. Donia Blauvelt
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  7. Maria Cristina Gallup
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  8. Nicholas Carr
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Contributions

JA helped conceptualize the study, drafted the IRB protocol, consented parents for enrollment, oversaw data collection, worked directly with the statistician, and drafted the manuscript. SJ helped conceptualize the study, participated in survey development and administration, collected data, and contributed to the drafting and editing of the manuscript. SD, AF, DB, and CG enrolled participants, collected data, and contributed to drafting and editing of the manuscript. NC initially conceptualized the study, helped extensively with overall study direction, patient enrollment, data collection, statistical analysis, as well as provided significant input on the drafting, editing, and formatting of the final manuscript. All authors approve the final manuscript as submitted and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Joshua Anchan.

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Conflict of interest

The authors declare no competing interests.

Ethics approval

Informed consent was obtained from all participants. The study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, TX (Protocol ID Number: C.2017.206d). The study was performed in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki.

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Anchan, J., Jones, S., Aden, J. et al. A different kind of battle: the effects of NICU admission on military parent mental health. J Perinatol 41, 2038–2047 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41372-021-00994-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41372-021-00994-y

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