Factors associated with parental perception of child vulnerability 12 months after abnormal newborn screening results

Abstract

We identified factors associated with elevated parental perceptions of child vulnerability (PPCV) 12 months after newborn screening (NBS) of 136 children: healthy, normal results (H, n=37), cystic fibrosis carriers (CF-C, n=40), congenital hypothyroidism (CH, n=36), and cystic fibrosis (CF, n=23). Controlling for infant and parent characteristics, mixed logit structural equation modeling showed direct paths to elevated PPCV included parent female sex, CF diagnosis, and high documented illness frequency. PPCV was positively associated with maternal parenting stress. Infants with CF and CF carriers had significantly more documented illness frequency than H group infants. The CH group did not differ significantly from the H group and had no paths to PPCV. Unexpectedly high documented illness frequency among infants who are CF carriers warrants further investigation. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.