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The acceptability and feasibility of emailed parent questionnaires for medical and developmental surveillance after NICU discharge

Journal of Perinatology volume 38, pages 392–401 (2018)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Objectives

The following are the objectives of this study: (1) Assess the feasibility and acceptability of emailing parent-reported measures of infant health and development after NICU discharge. (2) Examine whether post-discharge questionnaire data helps identify infants most likely to benefit from specialized follow-up care.

Study design

Parents of 51 infants <32 weeks’ gestation received email questionnaires at 44 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA) and 6 months corrected age (CA). Adverse infant outcomes were assessed in-person at 6 months: (1) Bayley-III cognitive or motor score <85; (2) weight, length, or head circumference <10th percentile; (3) new referral for medical or developmental services.

Results

Questionnaire response was 48 (94%) at 44 weeks PMA and 46 (90%) at 6 months CA. 36 (70%) infants were assessed at 6 months; 72% had at least 1 adverse outcome. Poorer transition home, feeding problems, and special health care needs at 44 weeks PMA predicted adverse outcomes. Feeding problems, maternal depression, and lower infant health-related quality of life at 6 months CA correlated with adverse outcomes.

Conclusions

Emailed questionnaires after NICU discharge were feasible to implement and acceptable to families. Repeated post-discharge assessments may help identify infants at heightened health and developmental risk.

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Funding

Funding

This study was funded by a grant from the Center for Patient Safety and Quality Research and by the Division of Newborn Medicine, both at Boston Children’s Hospital.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Newborn Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA

    Jonathan S. Litt, Meghana Agni, Talia Jacobi-Polishook, Jane E. Stewart & Mandy B. Belfort

  2. Neonatology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA

    Jonathan S. Litt, Marie C. McCormick & Jane E. Stewart

  3. Center for Applied Pediatric Quality Analytics, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA

    Patrice Melvin

  4. Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA

    Marie C. McCormick

  5. Pediatric Newborn Medicine, Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA

    Mandy B. Belfort

Authors
  1. Jonathan S. Litt
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Correspondence to Jonathan S. Litt.

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The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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Litt, J.S., Agni, M., Jacobi-Polishook, T. et al. The acceptability and feasibility of emailed parent questionnaires for medical and developmental surveillance after NICU discharge. J Perinatol 38, 392–401 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41372-017-0022-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41372-017-0022-6

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