Resumen:Objective. Describe changes in mothers’ and fathers’ grief from 1 to 13 months after infant or child neonatal or pediatric intensive care unit death and identify factors related to their grief.
Methods. Mothers (n 1⁄4 130) and fathers (n 1⁄4 52) of 140 children (newborn–18 years) completed the Hogan Grief Reaction Checklist at 1, 3, 6, and 13 months postdeath.
Results. Grief decreased from 3 to 13 months for mothers and from 3 to 6 months for fathers. Grief was more intense for mothers of deceased adolescents and mothers whose children were declared brain dead.
Conclusion. Mothers’ and fathers’ grief intensity may not coincide, resulting in different needs during the 13 months after infant or child death.