Mothers and fathers facing their children’s phenylketonuria

Skin-to-Skin Care and Spontaneous Touch by Fathers in Full-Term Infants: A Systematic Review

A series of studies have shown that mothers' early tactile behaviors have positive effects, both on full-term and preterm infants, and on mothers alike. Regarding fathers, research has focused mostly on paternal skin-to-skin care with preterm infants and has overlooked the tactile behavior effects with full-term newborns on infants' outcomes and on fathers themselves. The current systematic review considered the evidence regarding paternal tactile behaviors with full-term infants, including skin-to-skin care (SSC) and spontaneous touch (ST), during parent-infant interactions, and differentiated biophysiological, behavioral and psychological variables both in fathers and in infants. We also compared fathers' and mothers' tactile behaviors for potential differences. The few available studies suggest that paternal touch-SSC and ST-can have positive effects on fathers and infants alike. They also show that, despite some intrinsic differences, paternal touch is as pleasant as maternal touch. However, given the paucity of studies on the topic, we discuss why this field of research should be further explored.

Parents' from Poland coping with the illness of a child-Preliminary research. Cultural adaptation and evaluation of the psychometric properties of the coping health inventory for parents - polish version

PURPOSE

The goal was to present preliminary research results on how parents cope with the illness of a child using the Coping Health Inventory for Parents (CHIP) after it had been culturally adapted and its psychometric properties evaluated.

DESIGN AND METHODS

Taking part in the study were 459 parents of children with asthma (n = 230) or suffering pain (n = 229).A.

RESULTS

The content validity of the coefficient of variation ratio (CVR) for each item on the scale ranged from 0.84 to 1.00. Exploratory factor analysis by principal components method with Equamax rotation confirmed the three-factor structure of the test. THe theoretical validity of the tool was confirmed by intercorrelation matrix analysis, and the criterion validity of the CHIP test was evaluated based on analysis of intergroup differences regarding individual measurements of coping by parents of children diagnosed with asthma but differentiated by need of regular medication. CHIP has high Cronbach alpha coefficients values: 0.80-0.86. Results indicate that the children's parents rate as moderately helpful the Support (2.23, ± 0.60) and Family (2.17, ± 0.55) styles. Parents rated the Medical style as least helpful in coping (1.75, ± 0,59).

CONCLUSIONS

This study confirms both the accuracy and the reliability of the CHIP test, and the obtained coefficient values indicate that the tool can be used for individual and for scientific research.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

The study shows that assessment of the manner of a parent's coping with the illness of a child is influenced by the child's gender and place of residence.

Triple P for Parents of Children with Phenylketonuria: A Nonrandomized Trial

OBJECTIVE

Families of children with phenylketonuria (PKU) report child emotional and behavioral problems, parenting stress, and parenting difficulties, which are associated with worse health-related quality of life. This study aimed to examine acceptability and feasibility of a brief, group-based parenting program (Healthy Living Triple P) for families of children with PKU.

METHODS

An uncontrolled nonrandomized trial design was used. Families of children aged 2-12 years (N = 17) completed questionnaire measures assessing child behavior and impact of PKU on quality of life (primary outcomes), and parenting behavior, self-efficacy and stress, and children's behavioral and emotional adjustment (secondary outcomes). Routinely collected blood phenylalanine (Phe) levels were obtained from the treating team. Parents selected two child behaviors as targets for change. The intervention comprised two, 2-hr group sessions delivered face-to-face or online. Assessment was repeated at 4-week postintervention (T2) and 4-month follow-up (T3).

RESULTS

Attrition was low and parent satisfaction with the intervention (face-to-face and online) was high. All families achieved success with one or both child behavior goals, and 75% of families achieved 100% success with both behavior goals by T3; however, there was no change in health-related quality of life. There were moderate improvements in parent-reported ineffective parenting (total score, d = 0.87, 95% CI -1.01 to 2.75) and laxness (d = 0.59, 95% CI -1.27 to 2.46), but no effects on parenting stress or children's adjustment. Phe levels improved by 6month post-intervention for children with elevated preintervention levels.

CONCLUSIONS

Results support intervention acceptability and feasibility. A randomized controlled trial is warranted to establish intervention efficacy.

Psychosocial functioning in children with phenylketonuria: Relationships between quality of life and parenting indicators

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to assess the impact of phenylketonuria (PKU) and its treatment on parent and child health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and to identify the parenting-related correlates of parent and child HRQoL, as well as metabolic control.

METHODS

Eighteen mothers of 2- to 12-year-old children with PKU participated and completed a series of self-report questionnaires including the PKU Impact and Treatment Quality of Life Questionnaire (PKU-QOL).

RESULTS

Mothers reported that the most significant impact of PKU on HRQoL was in relation to the impact of their child's anxiety during blood tests on their own HRQoL and guilt related to poor adherence to dietary restrictions and supplementation regimens. Higher reported intensity of child emotional and behavioural difficulties and parenting stress were associated with higher scores for PKU symptoms on the PKU-QOL, higher scores for emotional, social, and overall impact of PKU, and higher scores for the impact of dietary restriction. Where mothers reported greater use of overreactivity as a parenting strategy, children tended to have better lifetime phenylalanine levels; however, the overall impact of PKU and the impact of supplement administration on mothers' HRQoL were worse for these families.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings have implications for a holistic family-centred approach to the care of children with PKU and their families.

Stress and quality of life in parents of children with phenylketonuria

BACKGROUND

Phenylketonuria is a hereditary disease caused by the lack or deficiency of phenylalanine hydroxylase enzyme activity. Parents of children with phenylketonuria undergo significant stress during their childcare years. They are also responsible for controlling their children's dietary treatment and this may affect their quality of life. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between stress and quality of life in parents of children with phenylketonuria.

METHODS

The present cross-sectional study is a correlation-analytical research performed on parents of children with phenylketonuria in Kerman province in Iran in 2017. In total, 124 parents were chosen by consensus method. Parents completed the perceived stress scale and quality of life (SF36). SPSS software version 18 (https://www.presidion.com/software/ibm-spss-trial-downloads/) was used to analyze the data.

RESULTS

Total scores of stress and quality of life were 28.81 ± 8.74 and 45.97 ± 21.22. There was a significant negative correlation between quality of life and perceived stress (p < 0.001 and ρ = -0.58).

CONCLUSION

Parents of children with phenylketonuria have moderate quality of life and relatively high stress. The medical community and authorities should take steps to improve the quality of life and reduce stress experienced by parents of children with phenylketonuria.