Thesis (Ph.D.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Nursing - Department of of Pediatric Nursing

Cleft palate (CP) or palatoschisis is a congenital incomplete closure of the mouth roof (palate) as a result of the failure of fusion of the palate. Nursing care must not focus on the children alone but also involve their parents. The aimof the current study was to evaluate the effect of supportive care for mothers on weight gain of their children with CP. Time series quasi-experimental research design was utilized to fit the aim of the current study. A purposive sample of 60 mothers of children who diagnosed as isolated CP or associated with repaired cleft lip up to two years old were participated in the study. The required data were collected through the following tools: structured interview questionnaire, Egyptian Growth Curve Chart (2002), mothers' knowledge assessment sheet, and mothers' practice assessment checklist. The results of the current study revealed that mothers who received supportive care had a higher mean score of knowledge and improved level of practice regarding care of their children with CP than those in the control group. Children of mothers who received supportive care had a higher mean of body weight gain than those in the control group. The study concluded thatapplication of supportive care for mothers of children with CP has a positive effect on their children body weight gain. The current study recommendedraising awareness of pediatric surgical nurses about the supportive care for parents of children with CP

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