Jacoline Sommer, Hawa Gul.
Initial Reaction of Parents at Around the Time of Diagnosis with Down Syndrome.
Int J Rehab Sci Jan ;06(01):40.

Background: Down Syndrome (DS) is one of the chromosomal genetic syndrome because of the combination of the physical and mental problems, children have frequent episodes of illness and require special and constant attention. Providing care is a natural part of being parents of young child, but this role becomes challenging when child experience functional limitations and possible lifelong disability. Objective: The aim of the study was to build an in depth knowledge and insight about the reaction of parent whose newborn was diagnosed with DS. So the health care providers will be able improve communication and promote openness between the parent?s and health care team. Methods: Qualitative descriptive study was conducted and in depth interview (IDI) from the parent of children with DS from 0-5 years of age. Transcript from IDI was prepared with 15 parents of children with DS. Results: The themes indicated that the common initial reaction of the parents was lack of acceptance, denial, delay in seeking assistance pertaining to diagnose with DS ,frequent change of doctors for ongoing health issues, hopelessness to the extent that seven mothers of the children with age five still had hope for free from disease. Conclusion: A special attention should be paid to the term counseling around the time of sharing diagnose and there must be multi disciplinary team involved in taking care of children with DS. Nurses must emphasize therapeutic communication to allow parents to ventilate their fear related to disability. Moreover, during the grieving process of adjustments of the parents, nurses should provide teaching with more positive aspects of DS and allow them to talk to other parents of children with DS or attend a journal club.

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