Pediatric medical traumatic stress (PMTS) in parents of newborns with a congenital anomaly requiring surgery at birth

This cross-sectional study of 170 parents found that 48% experienced clinically significant pediatric medical traumatic stress symptoms 6 months after their newborn underwent surgery for congenital anomalies. Length of hospital stay and number of associated anomalies were the strongest predictors of parental stress, suggesting NICU teams should screen families with complex clinical courses for early psychological intervention.