Preterm Infant Brain Injury: Parental Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice

BACKGROUND Preterm infants are highly susceptible to brain injury due to the immaturity of their neurological systems. Parental knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) play a pivotal role in early detection and prevention. This study, conducted in Inner Mongolia, China, evaluated parental KAP regarding brain injury prevention in preterm infants and explored associated influencing factors. MATERIAL AND METHODS A cross-sectional survey was conducted between January 2019 and December 2022 at the Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Inner Mongolia. Parents of preterm infants completed structured questionnaires. Multivariate logistic regression identified factors associated with KAP scores. RESULTS A total of 527 valid responses were analyzed. Mean parental age was 32.75±4.35 years. Average scores indicated moderate knowledge (9.40±2.96), generally positive attitudes (34.37±5.01), and moderately proactive practices (22.46±4.28). Parental age, care for late preterm infants, caregiving for children aged 1-2 years, unemployment, self-employment, and monthly household income >10 000 CNY were significantly associated with KAP scores (P<0.05). Positive attitudes and breastfeeding duration <1 month were independently associated with proactive caregiving practice. CONCLUSIONS Parental KAP related to brain injury prevention in preterm infants remains insufficient. Clinically, these gaps may hinder timely intervention and neurodevelopmental outcomes. Integrating structured, family-centered education into neonatal care is critical for empowering parents and optimizing early neuroprotective strategies. Enhancing KAP among parents could be a cost-effective approach to mitigating long-term neurological sequelae in this vulnerable population.