Guilt and Regret Experienced by Parents of Children Born Extremely Preterm.

Objectives: To explore decisional regret of parents of babies born extremely preterm and analyze neonatal, pediatric, and parental factors associated with regret.

Study Design: Parents of infants born <29 weeks of gestational age, aged between 18 months and 7 years, attending neonatal follow-up were enrolled. Hospital records were reviewed to examine morbidities and conversations with parents about levels of care. Parents were asked the following question: "Knowing what you know now, is there anything you would have done differently?" Mixed methods were used to analyze responses.

Results: In total, 248 parents (98% participation) answered, and 54% reported they did not have regret. Of those who reported regret (n = 113), 3 themes were most frequently invoked: 35% experienced guilt, thinking they were responsible for the preterm birth; 28% experienced regret about self-care decisions; and 20% regretted decisions related to their parental role, generally wishing they knew sooner how to get involved. None reported regret about life-and-death decisions made at birth or in the neonatal intensive care unit. Impairment at follow-up, gestational age, and decisions about levels/reorientation of care were not associated with regret. More mothers reported feeling guilt about the preterm birth (compared with fathers); parents of children with severe lesions on ultrasonography of the head were less likely to report regret.

Conclusions: Approximately one-half of the parents of infants born extremely preterm had regrets regarding their neonatal intensive care unit stay. Causes of regret and guilt should be addressed and minimized.