Does the visibility of a congenital anomaly affect maternal-infant attachment levels?

PURPOSE: To determine whether congenital anomaly visibility affects maternal-infant attachment levels.

DESIGN AND METHODS: The study population consisted of mothers who had infants with cleft lip/palate or congenital heart anomalies who were receiving treatment in a university hospital. The data were collected using the Structured Questionnaire Form and the Maternal Attachment Inventory.

RESULTS: Statistically significant differences in maternal-infant attachment levels were observed between infants with cleft lips/palates and healthy infants and between infants with congenital heart anomalies and healthy infants.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: It is important to apply appropriate nursing interventions for these mothers during the postpartum period.