title: Parental preferences regarding administration of an animal-derived versus a synthetic medication to newborn infants.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We examined the perceptions of parents with regard to animal-derived versus synthetic medications of comparable efficacy. We hypothesized that this issue is a concern in neonatal care and that the perceptions of parents from one geographical location would be similar to those of another.
  
  
  METHODS
  A survey was distributed to parents of neonates admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit of a southeastern hospital.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 153 parents surveyed, 150 (98%) responded. More mothers than fathers completed the surveys (113 vs. 34). Fifty-six percent of participants indicated a college or higher education; 40% had an income of $51,000/yr or higher. Thirty-four percent of parents had concerns about animal-derived medications, 41% preferred a synthetic medication of equivalent efficacy, and 69% would like to be informed if a medication was animal-derived.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Parents have concerns about exposing neonates to animal-derived medication and wish to be informed if an animal-derived medication is being considered.
authors.affiliation: Wilmington University, New Castle, DE, USA.
authors.forename: Tami I
authors.initials: TI
authors.lastname: Sherman
authors.affiliation: Betty Cameron Women & Children's Hospital, Wilmington, NC, USA.
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Moya
authors.affiliation: Biostatistics and Data Management, Discovery Laboratories, Inc., Warrington, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Phillip D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Simmons
authors.affiliation: Coastal Carolina Neonatology, Wilmington, NC, USA.
authors.forename: Danielle
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kurtz
authors.affiliation: Center for Pediatric Lung Research, Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, DE, USA.
authors.forename: Thomas H
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Shaffer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007258:Informed Consent; D007328:Insulin / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015931:Intensive Care, Neonatal; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D057240:Patient Preference; D011663:Pulmonary Surfactants / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012068:Religion and Medicine; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin; D011663:Pulmonary Surfactants
keywords: Animal-derived; medication; newborn; survey; synthetic