A mixed-methods systematic review of interventions for parents during and after neonatal end of life in the neonatal intensive care unit

BACKGROUND: Parents of newborns at the end of life or after death require support to cope with the situation. AIM: This mixed-methods systematic review analyses various interventions designed to support parents in the neonatal intensive care unit. METHOD: A systematic search was conducted in June 2023 in EBSCO (CINAHL), Medline (PubMed), Embase and PsycINFO (Ovid) with citation tracking. Two authors independently screened studies and extracted data. FINDINGS: Of 6909 articles assessed, 175 were evaluated and nine studies were included. Tailored interventions like photography, medical summaries and bereavement support significantly improved parents' experiences and coping. However, small sample sizes and methodological differences limit generalisability. Further research is needed to refine these interventions. CONCLUSION: The interventions reviewed provided significant benefits for parents, highlighting the importance of tailored support strategies in the neonatal intensive care unit.