Work

Parental Health After Preterm Birth: Insights From the National Survey of Children’s Health

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Parents of children born preterm are at risk of neglecting their own medical needs following the birth of a medically complex child. This study examines the self-reported health of parents of preterm children born with low birthweight (LBW; 1500-2499 g) or very low birthweight (VLBW; <1500 g) compared with parents of term children of normal weight (term; ≥2500 g). METHODS: We examined self-reported health among parents with children 0 to 3 years of age using the National Survey of Children's Health (2016-2022), a cross-sectional dataset. We used multivariable logistic regression to analyze parent's self-reported health by gestational age-birthweight categories, adjusting for child and household sociodemographics. RESULTS: Parents of children born VLBW had higher rates of fair/poor physical health versus parents of term children (10.9% vs. 3.9%, odds ratio [aOR] 2.92; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.55-5.49). Parents of VLBW children had higher rates of poor/fair mental health compared to parents of term children (8.5% vs. 5.1%), but the differences were not significant in adjusted analyses. While parents of children born LBW trended toward higher odds of fair/poor health, the differences were not significant in adjusted analyses. CONCLUSIONS: We found important differences in reported physical health among parents of children born VLBW compared to parents of children born at term with normal birthweight. This elevated health burden is critical to address, as self-reported poor health is linked to long-term negative health consequences and increased parental mortality risk. Pediatricians should consider screening for caregiver health concerns during neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) discharge and well-child visits.

Source: Academic Pediatrics

DOI: 10.1016/j.acap.2025.103182