title: OC21 - Psychosocial functioning of parents of infants diagnosed with complex congenital heart defect.
abstract: Theme: Parenting/parenthood.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  The diagnosis of complex CHD impacts the psychosocial status of parents and their functioning.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  A critical evaluation of the literature concerning the psychosocial parental response to their infant's diagnosis of complex CHD.
  
  
  METHODS
  Systematic review of 18 articles published after 2000 in PubMed and CINAHL.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The impact of an infant's CHD on the family functioning is determined both by child's medical condition and family's psychosocial factors. The majority of parents experience intense loss and numerous stressors. Nurses and physicians need to be sensitive to the needs, thoughts and experiences of the parents when discussing treatment options. Families with poor social support networks may have the greatest need for professional interventions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Appropriate interventions assist the majority of parents to adapt to the diagnosis of complex CHD. However, there are a number of parents with an increased psychosocial risk associated with higher rates of emotional distress.
authors.affiliation: 'Onassis' Cardiac Center, Greece.
authors.forename: Konstantinos
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Petsios
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Nursing, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Vassiliki
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Matziou
authors.affiliation: 'Onassis' Cardiac Center, Greece.
authors.forename: Ioanna
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Voutoufianaki
authors.affiliation: 'Onassis' Cardiac Center, Greece.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Manatou
authors.affiliation: 'Onassis' Cardiac Center, Greece.
authors.forename: Prodromos
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Azariadis
authors.affiliation: 'Onassis' Cardiac Center, Greece.
authors.forename: Spiros
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rammos
keywords: Congenital heart defect (CHD); parenting; psychosocial.