The relationship of SNAPPE-II score and parental perception of infant illness to parental depression in the neonatal intensive care unit

PurposeTo describe the relationship of severity of infant illness and parental perception of illness to depression in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).Subjects174 mothers, 174 fathers, and 188 infants.Design and methodsThe data from this secondary analysis were derived from questionnaires administered to mothers and fathers separately within 96h of their infants’ admission to the NICU. Main study variables: severity of infant illness, parental perception of infant illness and depression.Principal resultsThis study demonstrated a low correlation between parents’ perceptions of infant illness and severity of illness. Perception of infant illness between mothers and fathers was moderately correlated. Depression was not associated with the actual severity of the infant's illness for either parent.ConclusionsThis study found a limited association among severity of infant illness, depression, and parental perception of illness in the NICU. It is important for health care providers to recognize the potential for incongruency between actual severity of illness and parental perception of infant illness as well as the differences that may exist between the responses by mothers and fathers.