Loss in the NICU

Abstract

Siblings of patients that have lengthy stays in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) may be affected emotionally by their brother’s or sister’s condition, separation, or even death. In an effort to assess the effect of perinatal loss on siblings a student-led inquiry was designed and tested. A scripted interview was composed to determine whether or not children were effectively processing the loss of their sibling. While a single case is reported, the methodology proved useful and opens the door to further consideration of providing sibling-oriented grief and bereavement services in the NICU.