BACKGROUND:
Infants follow a predictable trajectory of increased early crying. Frustration with crying is reported to be a trigger for abusive head trauma (AHT).
OBJECTIVE:
To evaluate the impact of postpartum delivery of the educational program, the Period of PURPLE Crying (PURPLE), in a group of first-time mothers. The primary objective was to determine whether there was a change in knowledge about infant crying and shaking after exposure to PURPLE. Factors associated with change in knowledge were also examined.
METHOD:
A total of 93 participants were recruited over a four-month period at a tertiary care hospital in Nova Scotia. Pre- and postintervention data were collected.
RESULTS:
Knowledge about infant crying increased significantly after program delivery (P=0.001). Low baseline crying knowledge was a significant predictor of increased knowledge about infant crying (P≤0.01). There was an insignificant decrease in shaking knowledge (P=0.5), which may have been the consequence of high baseline knowledge.
CONCLUSION:
An educational program for new parents appears to be warranted, especially with respect to improving knowledge about infant crying. This may have a positive benefit in AHT prevention. Additional studies are required to evaluate the impact of the program on other caregivers and on rates of AHT.
KEYWORDS:
Abusive head trauma; Child abuse prevention; Infant crying