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Am J Perinatol 2021; 38(09): 944-951
DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1701194
Original Article

Risk Factors for Parenting Stress in Parents of Children Treated with Laser Surgery for Twin-Twin Transfusion Syndrome 2 Years Postpartum

Kelly Schifsky 
1   Department of Pediatrics, USC University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
,
Alexis Deavenport-Saman 
1   Department of Pediatrics, USC University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
,
Mary Rose Mamey
2   USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, Los Angeles, California
,
Nidhi Sheth
3   College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, California
,
Christine B. Mirzaian
1   Department of Pediatrics, USC University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
,
Sheree M. Schrager 
4   Division of Hospital Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
,
Ramen H. Chmait
5   Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, USC Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California
,
Douglas L. Vanderbilt
1   Department of Pediatrics, USC University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
› Author Affiliations Funding This research was supported by the National Center for Research Resources and the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, through grant award numbers KL2RR031991 and UL1TR000130. This research was also supported by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau, Children's Hospital Los Angeles Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics Training Program grant number T77MC25732.
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Abstract

Objective Twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) is a rare but serious condition that can occur in monochorionic and diamniotic twin pregnancies. Research indicates almost half of postpartum mothers with TTTS may have clinically significant levels of stress. However, no studies have measured the levels of parenting stress at 2 years postpartum, and little research has been conducted on sources of stress.

Study Design A prospective cohort study was conducted. Data were collected from parents whose children were treated with laser ablation in utero and were 2 years old at the time of screening. The Parenting Stress Index - Short Form (PSI-SF) and its three subscales were used to collect data. Descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate analyses were conducted to determine significant predictors associated with each outcome.

Results A total of 99 children from 56 families were enrolled. Unmarried status (B = –22.8; p = 0.039) and lower maternal educational level (B = –7.8; p = 0.01) were both significantly associated with higher PSI-SF total score.

Conclusion Subgroups of parents whose pregnancy required laser surgery for TTTS may continue to have clinically significant levels of stress at 2 years postpartum. It is important the health care team is aware of this and the sociodemographic risk factors to provide appropriate support for families.

Keywords

twin-twin transfusion syndrome - parenting stress - sociodemographic risk factors - 2 years postpartum - children


Publication History

Received: 02 August 2019

Accepted: 10 December 2019

Article published online:
27 January 2020

© 2020. Thieme. All rights reserved.

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