Chinese General Hospital Colleges

Journal Summary

Maternal Attitudes and Knowledge

About Newborn Screening
Author
Patricia Newcomb, PhD, RN, CPNP, Barbara True, MN, RN, Judith Walsh, PhD,
RN, Maynard Dyson, MD, Suzanne Lockwood, PhD, RN, and Becky Douglas, MS, RN
Source of the article: MCN Journal
Objectives of the study
To determine whether mothers of newborns understand basic facts about
newborn screening (NBS) and how they feel about state retention of dried bloodspots
(DBS) for research use
Sample of the Population
This study was a cross-sectional survey administered to 548 mothers of
newborns in postpartum units in five different hospitals in north Texas after Institutional
Review Board approval.
Methodology
Each participating site delivered and collected surveys using systems that were
convenient for them. The survey instrument used is Maternal Attitudes and Knowledge
about Newborn Screening Survey which is developed by the investigators. Summary
statistics were provided for each participating site and surveys were combined for final
data analysis. Multiple regression analysis was used to quantify associations between
responses and demographic variables.
Results
Knowledge about details of NBS and DBS retention was inadequate. The most
frequent source of information about NBS was the postpartum nurse. Mothers tended to
believe that using newborn bloodspots for research was a good thing, but Medicaid
recipients and minorities were more reluctant than others to share dried bloodspots for
research.

Nursing Implications
Mothers are not fully informed about NBS or the use of infant bloodspots for
research. Bloodspot storage in Texas could shrink under new opt-in policies,
constraining a resource needed for genetic and other research. Further research to
design and test educational interventions that are sensitive to the concerns of parents
about DBS storage and that can be efficiently implemented antenatally is needed.
Personal Reaction
Newborn screening is important because it identifies certain conditions that can
affect the babys health. Mothers should have better knowledge about newborn
screening. They should ask their health care providers about it or nurses should inform
mothers about it. They should not be afraid of newborn screening.