What Do Parents of Preterm Infants Know About Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis Immunizations?

ABSTRACT

Preterm infants often receive immunizations late or in reduced dosage. The purpose of this study was to describe the knowledge of parents of preterm infants about immunizations. We sent a questionnaire to the parents of preterm infants who attended our Neonatal Follow-up Clinic. Of the 112 families who returned the survey, only 45% correctly answered that preterm infants should be immunized at the same age as full-term infants. Nearly 40% of parents stated that “how premature the baby was” influenced time of immunization. Over 25% reported that the infant had to reach a minimum weight to be immunized. Parents who received information from neonatal intensive care or Neonatal Follow-up Clinic staff or a public health nurse were not more correctly informed about immunizations. Parents of prematures often are not correctly informed about immunizations. Information about immunizations for preterm infants should be incorporated into NICU discharge planning.