日本小児循環器学会雑誌 Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery

Background: Increased opportunities for prenatal diagnosis of congenital heart disease (CHD) has also increased the importance of prenatal supports for their families. In Gunma Children’s Medical Center, we have provided prenatal supports for families including prenatal visits by pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) nurses.

Objective: Questionnaires were postnatally asked for mothers to whom CHD had been announced prenatally. We clarified their needs and evaluated the efficacy and improvements of prenatal visits by PICU nurses.

Methods: We studied 51 mothers who were referred to our institution because of the prenatal diagnosis of CHD and whose babies were admitted to PICU after birth. Answers for the questionnaire and clinical records were reviewed.

Results: Consents for this study were obtained from 23 subjects (45.1％). Among them, 19 subjects (82.6％) answered that prenatal visits were necessary, because their anxiety and stress could be reduced after their visits or they could know the atmosphere of PICU and care providers. However, mothers required how to become involved with practical child cares themselves.

Conclusion: Current prenatal visits could alleviate family’s anxiety for bearing a child with CHD. It is necessary to revise the information for prenatal visits and provide family care ensuring their needs.