Efeito da prematuridade na qualidade de sono e no bem estar emocional parental nas primeiras semanas de vida

Abstract

Background: Preterm birth and neonatal hospitalization are recognized risk factors for parental sleep disruption and emotional vulnerability. Despite their clinical relevance, few studies have simultaneously integrated subjective and objective sleep assessments with measures of mental health and quality of life in parents of both preterm and term infants. Objective: To determine the impact of preterm birth on parental sleep quality and emotional well-being by comparing parents of preterm and term infants. Methods: A prospective study conducted between October 2024 and August 2025 at a hospital in northern Portugal. The sample comprised 103 participants: 61 parents of term infants and 42 parents of preterm infants. During the first weeks of the infant's life, sociodemographic and clinical data were collected, validated paper-based questionnaires were administered (PSQI, HADS, PSS, PBQ, SF-36 RAND, MCTQ, Graffar, ObsQoR-10), and objective sleep monitoring was performed through actigraphy. The PSQI was applied at two time points: within the first weeks after birth and again one month later, allowing assessment of changes over the adaptation process. Results: Most participants reported poor sleep quality (PSQI > 5). Among parents of preterm infants, actigraphy showed shorter total sleep time, lower efficiency, and higher fragmentation. Between-group differences were more pronounced in objective sleep parameters, whereas subjective perception was globally negative in both groups. Regarding emotional well-being, higher levels of stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms were observed in parents of preterm infants. Conclusions: Preterm birth, particularly when associated with hospitalization, is linked to poorer sleep patterns and greater parental emotional vulnerability. These findings highlight the need for early interventions targeting sleep, mental health, and parent - infant bonding in highly demanding contexts. Keywords: parental sleep; prematurity; emotional well-being; actigraphy; parent-infant bonding; quality of life