Should children with minor medical problems be sent to hospital? A study of infant care practices within families.

The admission of children to hospital for minor medical problems is frequently influenced by family and social circumstances. This study compared the infant care practices of families of children admitted to hospital for gastroenteritis (n = 76) and families caring for children with gastroenteritis at home (n = 76). Mothers of children who were admitted to hospital were more likely to use medical sources of advice on parenting and less likely to use other non-family sources than home care mothers. They also received less support in the education/entertainment of their children from fathers. There were many similarities between the two groups, including the high level of behaviour problems of the children and the relatively low level of involvement of fathers in child care tasks. Both of these factors serve to increase stress on mothers to the point where they may be unable to cope with a sick child at home.