A review of cystic fibrosis children born to single mothers

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between single parents and the health of their children with cystic fibrosis. Seventy‐five children aged between 0.8 and 6.0 y were identified from our patient register; 20 of these children came from single parent families. Socioeconomic profiles were collated for each family. Retrospective medical data including, gene mutation analysis, were recorded from the hospital notes of all 75 patients. Maternal health was assessed by means of the General Health Questionnaire (28‐item version). The results show that maternal age of ≤19y and lone parenthood were associated with higher morbidity in CF patients <6y of age. Predicted values of the Shwachman score being lower by 4.1 and 4.3 points, respectively. A declining Shwachman score of 1.1 points/y was associated with increasing patient's age. In addition, analysis showed that the CF children of teenage mothers were 16 times more likely to have admission rates of ≥1/y. Single mothers experienced more stress‐related symptoms than those from the married group. We concluded that the young CF children of single or teenage mothers have a significantly worse clinical progress and consequently have a higher demand for hospital services. Clearly this population requires extra clinical vigilance and social support.

Service Needs of Families With Children With ADHD

“…Single-mother families, regardless of income, used the most services, possibly indicating their greater concerns and, therefore, need. This is consistent with the literature that single mothers of children with chronic illness or behavior problems have disproportionate amounts of stress and depression (Cairney, Boyle, Offord, & Racine, 2003;Macpherson, Redmond, Leavy, & McMullan, 1998;Olson, Ceballo, & Park, 2002;Thompson, Auslander, & White, 2001), and that the children of mothers who were stressed and/or depressed have more social impairment and psychiatric problems (Lipman, Boyle, Dooley, & Offord, 2002). In fact, severity of child behavior problems in youth with ADHD is related to higher levels of psychological distress in single and married mothers (Kendall et al, 2005).…”

Social disadvantage predicts growth outcomes in preadolescent children with cystic fibrosis

“…In our study, single caregiver was the leading criteria for inclusion in the Social Disadvantage group. In a report from Ireland, children with CF who were less than six years of age and cared for by single mothers, nearly half of whom were b18 years, had worse outcomes than those with dual caregivers [33]. The demands of CF treatment are considerable [34,35].…”

Psychosocial characteristics and predictors of health‐care use in families of young children with cystic fibrosis in Western Australia

“…Children who move frequently in early life (independent of SES) are at increased risk of inferior physical health, behavioural problems and lower educational achievement. Single parenthood may increase the risk of lower lung function and suboptimal nutrition in children with CF . Whether CF families experience lower rates of homeownership and insecure housing requires further study in larger populations.…”