Congenital heart disease (CHD) carries a significant morbidity and mortality, bringing severe distress to parents. Prenatal diagnosis allows many critical issues to be identified prior to birth.
Objective: The study aimed to explore whether the timing of the diagnosis of a major CHD (prenatal or postnatal), affects the early mother-infant relationship and outcomes.
Methods: As part of a three-stage longitudinal study, assessment being at 2, 9 and 18-months of age, infants with CHD requiring early surgery and diagnosed prenatally or postnatally were recruited following delivery. This paper reports preliminary data for stage one.
Medical and surgical outcomes were reviewed. Mothers were asked to complete a questionnaire and were interviewed. Observations were made of infant development, mother-infant and researcher-infant interaction. The questionnaire included standardised measures of maternal distress, (depression, stress and anxiety), parent-child attachment and adult attachment. Infant measures included the Bayley-111 Screening Test and Infant Social Withdrawal Scale.
Results: There were 14 mother-infant dyads, where the diagnosis was made prenatally and 11 postnatally. The cardiac diagnoses varied from an isolated VSD to HLHS. No significant differences were found between the groups on measures of maternal distress, adult attachment or infant social withdrawal. Across both groups, mothers manifested marked distress and infants were likely to be more socially withdrawn.
Conclusion: While no differences between the groups emerged, both mothers and infants in both groups were found to experience considerable difficulties that may have implications for the developing relationship. These findings have implications for planned interventions for the mother and infant.