Evaluation of stress in parents of a girl with rare disease in early care treatment

Stress experienced by parents of children with disabilities represents an ongoing obstacle according to scientific literature, and more so when dealing with a rare condition. Trisomy 22 live births fall into the category of rare diseases. Stress levels and the dynamics of couple relationships in mothers with two daughters (trisomy 22 and trisomy 21), as well as the child s developmental profile, were assessed, before and after administering early intervention treatment, A specific profile of the child with trisomy 22 was obtained, characterized by a typical evolutionary development in different areas. Furthermore, differences in stress levels and in couple relationship dynamics among mothers of the assessed children were found. The importance of reducing stress in parents of children with disabilities is discussed, and the need to implement differentiated and specific early intervention programs for children with mosaic trisomy 22 and other rare disorders is considered. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved) (Source: journal abstract)