Juggling Multiple Roles amidst Uncertainty: The Asian Father's Perspective of an Infant in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

OBJECTIVE: Parents of preterm, very low birthweight (VLBW) infants in neonatal intensive care units (NICU) undergo emotional turmoil. Studies on parent's experiences typically focus on the maternal perspective. The purpose of the study is to explore the emotional needs and experiences of fathers of VLBW neonates in the NICU and to identify ways to improve their experiences. STUDY DESIGN: This was a qualitative descriptive design study undertaken at the NICU of a tertiary university hospital. Convenience sampling with predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria was used to identify prospective participants. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 fathers of infants until data saturation was reached. The COREQ (Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Studies) checklist was used. RESULTS: Father's experiences were classified into the topics of concerns, roles, and perspectives. Uncertainty was a predominant theme in each of these. Fathers assume multiple roles toward the child, wife, self, and family. Their concerns were multifaceted involving the child, family, work, and finances; they experienced a myriad of emotions, but these evolved into resilience eventually. CONCLUSION: Fathers have unique concerns pertinent to having an infant in the NICU. They juggle multiple roles and transition to emotions of resilience. It is imperative to acknowledge the uncertainty and diverse roles of fathers, provide them with customized information, and develop more balanced parent-support groups. KEY POINTS: · Fathers juggle multiple roles with a child in NICU.. · Uncertainty is a key part of their experience.. · Acknowledging their role and emotions is important..

An active pursuit of reassurance-coping strategies of fathers with infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to explore coping strategies of fathers of very low birth weight (VLBW) infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). STUDY DESIGN: A qualitative descriptive study among fathers of VLBW babies. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 fathers until data saturation was achieved. The Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Studies (COREQ) checklist was used for reporting. RESULTS: The overarching theme was an active pursuit of reassurance. Coping strategies revolved around identifying specific stressors and then making deliberate efforts to address them. Based on the main stressors identified, three subthemes were derived: pursuing information amidst uncertainty, bonding with the infant for normalcy and seeking emotional support in the midst of anxiety. Fathers took on a predominantly problem-focused approach. CONCLUSIONS: Empowering fathers with knowledge and emotional support, facilitating bonding with the infant and addressing their concerns are important in supporting them while having an infant in the NICU.

Cashew nut allergy in Singaporean children.

BACKGROUND: There has been an increasing trend of nut allergies in Singapore. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to review the clinical characteristics of children with cashew nut allergy. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted in a tertiary paediatric referral centre in Singapore from 2008 to 2015. A total of 99 subjects with positive specific IgE (≥0.35 IU/L) to cashew nut were identified. Clinical features including demographics, clinical reaction to cashew nut, associations with other nuts and test specific measurements were recorded. RESULTS: The results showed that cutaneous symptoms (71.2%) were the most common allergic manifestations. Anaphylaxis occurred in 3.8% of children. In addition, all cashew nut allergic subjects were cross-reactive (either sensitized or allergic) to pistachio. Cross-reactivity rate with peanuts was 53.8%. There was a strong prevalence of atopy among cashew nut allergic subjects. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, cashew nut allergy is a significant tree nut allergy in Singapore.