Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40016782›Full record

ArticleOrphanet journal of rare diseases2025

'You constantly have to be switched on': A qualitative interview study of parents of children with STXBP1-related disorders in the Netherlands.

Sietske A L van Till, Sybren Sybesma, Hilgo Bruining, Matthijs Verhage, Eline M Bunnik

Abstract read
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Article in Orphanet journal of rare diseases, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

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2citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Sietske A L van TillDept. of Medical Ethics, Philosophy and History of Medicine, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, Wytemaweg 80, Rotterdam, 3015 CN, The Netherlands. s.vantill@erasmusmc.nl.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4891-9596
Sybren SybesmaDept. of Medical Ethics, Philosophy and History of Medicine, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, Wytemaweg 80, Rotterdam, 3015 CN, The Netherlands.
Hilgo BruiningN=You Neurodevelopmental Precision Center, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam Reproduction and Development, Amsterdam UMC, Meibergdreef 5, Amsterdam, 1105 AZ, The Netherlands.
Matthijs VerhageDept. of Functional Genomics Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research (CNCR), VU University Amsterdam and Amsterdam UMC-Location VUmc, de Boelelaan 1085, Amsterdam, 1081 HV, The Netherlands.
Eline M BunnikDept. of Medical Ethics, Philosophy and History of Medicine, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, Wytemaweg 80, Rotterdam, 3015 CN, The Netherlands.

Funding

ZonMw 10250022110003
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundDisorder-related variants in the STXBP1 gene are increasingly detected in children with severe developmental disorders. It is commonly acknowledged that developmental disorders significantly impact family life, but little is known about the day-to-day experiences of caregivers living with children with STXBP1-related disorders (STXBP1-RD). This knowledge gap may hinder researchers and care professionals from aligning research activities, care, and support with the perspectives of parents.

methodsWe conducted a semi-structured interview study to gain a better understanding of the impact of having a child with STXBP1-RD on daily family life. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed thematically. We developed an 'analytical framework based on verbs', as verbs signify action, to present our results on the experiences of parents in everyday life.

resultsWe conducted 16 interviews with 21 parents of children with STXBP1-RD (2 to 18 years old), living in the Netherlands. The respondents described their caregiving responsibilities as extremely intense and demanding. They reported being constantly occupied with caring for their child, and expressed a feeling of always being 'switched on'. Parents' experiences are described using the following five verbs: (1) caring for their child, (2) recognizing their child's needs and having their child's needs recognized, (3) searching for answers and suitable care, (4) balancing delivering care while preserving other domains of life, and (5) coping with emotional impacts.

conclusionsThis study shows how parenting a child with STXBP1-RD involves continuous engagement with both child-related care responsibilities and other activities, such as arranging suitable care and coping with emotional impacts. The accumulation of these responsibilities and challenges significantly impacts the everyday lives of the entire family. To support STXBP1 patient families, a broad approach is needed, focusing not only on developing new medical treatments, but also on improving other therapies (e.g., speech therapy or physiotherapy) and providing social support for the entire family, including emotional support, assistance with administrative tasks, and improved information provision after diagnosis.

Indexed as

Munc18 ProteinsParentsAdolescentAdultCaregiversChildChild, PreschoolFemaleHumansMaleNetherlandsQualitative ResearchMunc18 ProteinsSTXBP1 protein, humanCaregiversNeurodevelopmental disorders / geneticsPediatricsQualitative

Identifiers

PMID40016782
PMCPMC11869610

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.