Scoping Review of the Needs and Roles of Grandparents of Infants in the NICU

OBJECTIVE: To map existing evidence on the needs and roles of grandparents of infants in the NICU. DATA SOURCES: We searched five databases: CINAHL, MEDLINE, Scopus, APA PsycNet, and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global. We also reviewed reference lists and explored unpublished studies and gray literature. We included sources in which the authors described the needs and roles of grandparents of infants in the NICU as described by grandparents, parents, and health care professionals. STUDY SELECTION: Two independent reviewers screened titles and abstracts and then assessed full texts using predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. We resolved disagreements through discussion or adjudication by the first author. We selected 22 publications, including quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods studies; a meta-review; and opinion papers. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS: We extracted the following data: authors, publication year, country, aims, study design, methods, sample, data collection tools, and key findings. We created a summary table and wrote a narrative synthesis to connect findings with our objective. CONCLUSION: Through the scoping review, we found that grandparents needed to be involved in the care of their grandchildren and to understand the NICU environment. As they sought to bond with their grandchildren, grandparents also provided key emotional and practical support for parents. To meet the needs of grandparents, health care professionals in the NICU should answer their questions within the bounds of privacy limitations and offer tailored interventions. Because recent research on this topic remains limited, we recommend further studies to address this gap and strengthen family-centered care in NICUs.