Anxiety levels in parents of asymptomatic neonates and young infants referred for echocardiography

Previous studies in children with innocent murmurs have shown that parental concern is common. We assessed the anxiety levels among parents of asymptomatic neonates or infants up-to 6 weeks referred for cardiologic consultation because of a heart murmur. A six-item short-form of the state scale of t...

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Published inJournal of reproductive and infant psychology Vol. 40; no. 4; pp. 412 - 419
Main Authors Akrivopoulou, Georgia, Fouzas, Sotirios, Gkentzi, Despoina, Galanopoulou, Katerina, Dimitriou, Gabriel, Karatza, Ageliki A.
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Chichester Routledge 04.07.2022
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Subjects
Anxiety
Asymptomatic
Cardiologists
Cardiology
echocardiography
Heart beat
heart murmur
Infants
Medical diagnosis
Medical referrals
Newborn babies
Parental anxiety
parental stress
Parents & parenting
Pediatrics
Primary care
Regression analysis
STAI questionnaire
Trait anxiety
Ultrasonic imaging
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Summary:Previous studies in children with innocent murmurs have shown that parental concern is common. We assessed the anxiety levels among parents of asymptomatic neonates or infants up-to 6 weeks referred for cardiologic consultation because of a heart murmur. A six-item short-form of the state scale of the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) was completed by the parents before and after consultation. The average STAI score decreased from 14.42 ± 4.54 on arrival to 9.69 ± 4.26 after the consultation (p < 0.001). Overall, the parents felt more calm, less tense, less upset, more relaxed, more content and less worried after the consultation (p < 0.001). Multivariable linear regression analysis showed that the STAI score prior to consultation was related to infants age (coefficient β = - 0.172; P = 0.046) and STAI score post consultation was related to the final diagnosis (β = 0.312; P < 0.001). In conclusion, parents of asymptomatic neonates and young infants with a murmur exhibit moderate levels of anxiety which can be ameliorated after consultation. Parental education in the field is of paramount importance and the role of both paediatric cardiologists as well as primary care physicians is crucial and decisive.
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ISSN:0264-6838
1469-672X
DOI:10.1080/02646838.2021.1959023