685 Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Abstract

There is evidence to suggest that having one's baby in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) may cause post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD is defined in the Diagnostic Statistical Manual IV (DSM IV) as state in which having been exposed to a traumatic event, the victim persistently re-experiences the traumatic event (intrusive recollections, dreams, intense psychological/ physiological distress to cues that symbolize event). As a result the victim avoids the stimuli associated with trauma and has increased arousal (ex hyper vigilance, exaggerated startle, insomnia, outburst of anger) The disturbance needs to last greater than 1 month and cause significant distress and/ or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning A hospitalization, especially an unexpected hospitalization can be seen as a traumatic event due to threat of death, disability, disfigurement There are several potential consequences to parental PTSD including marital discord and behavioral problems in children (Peebles-Kleiger, 2000) It is important to explore methods of mitigating parental stress It is also important to recognize that fathers and marginalized populations may cope differently It was found that the highest distress was seen in the lowest educational level, (Holditch-Davis, et al, 2009). Staff is also vulnerable to PTSD due to prolonged exposure to grotesque sights, length of time in crisis and emotional identification with patients (similar in age, gender, temperament with one's own child) In summary, PTSD does occur in the NICU environment and may have long term negative consequences.

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