Mothers of very low birth weight infants (VLBW, birth weight less than 3 pounds, 5 ounces) experience maternal psychological distress, defined as depression, anxiety and perinatal post-traumatic stress (PPTS).This study estimated maternal distress at time of VLBW infants' birth, modeled change in distress over VLBW infants' first year of life, and examined predictors of distress. Distress declined over VLBW infants' first year of life. Mothers residing in lower income environments had lower PPTS and anxiety at VLBW infant birth. VLBW birth weight and maternal age, respectively, predicted change in anxiety over time, and change in depression over time.
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