Parental experiences and genetic counsellor roles in Pierre Robin sequence

Abstract

Pierre Robin sequence (PRS) is a craniofacial abnormality comprising micrognathia, glossoptosis and airway obstruction, which can impair the newborn's feeding and breathing. While there has been much research around the cause of PRS and most appropriate methods of care, understanding the psychosocial aspects of a PRS diagnosis from the parents' perspective is lacking. The aim of this study is to understand parental experiences of having a child diagnosed with PRS, as well as the role of genetic counselling in PRS. Fourteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with parents of children diagnosed with isolated PRS between 2 and 5 years prior. From these 14 interviews, eleven transcripts we..