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Abstract

Background: Parental health literacy (HL) is increasingly recognized as a critical determinant of clinical outcomes for neonates undergoing surgery. Effective parental HL supports accurate decision-making, adherence to postoperative protocols, and early recognition of complications, directly influencing recovery and long-term developmental outcomes. This review synthesizes current evidence on the impact of parental HL in neonatal surgical contexts, identifies effective HL interventions, and proposes strategies to overcome implementation challenges.
Methods: A systematic review of peer-reviewed literature published between 2010 and 2025 was conducted to examine parental health literacy (HL) within the context of neonatal surgical care. The search encompassed major academic databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, utilizing a range of relevant keywords such as "parental health literacy," "neonatal surgery," "clinical outcomes," and "postoperative care." The included studies were critically evaluated to assess their contributions to understanding the impact of parental HL on neonatal surgical outcomes.
Results: The review identified a consistent, positive association between high parental HL and improved neonatal surgical outcomes. Parents with higher HL demonstrated better comprehension of preoperative risks, more accurate adherence to postoperative care protocols, and more effective communication with healthcare providers. These factors collectively contributed to reduced rates of surgical complications, lower readmission rates, and shorter hospital stays. Effective interventions included teach-back methods, pictogram-enhanced instructions, digital health tools, Family Integrated Care (FiCare) programs, and professional interpreter services, each demonstrating significant improvements in HL and clinical outcomes.
Conclusion: Enhancing parental HL is essential for improving neonatal surgical outcomes. A multilayered approach incorporating routine HL assessment and targeted interventions offers a practical pathway to safer recovery and more equitable health outcomes. Future research should prioritize the development of standardized HL assessment tools tailored to neonatal surgical settings, assess the long-term impact of HL interventions, and explore scalable, cost-effective strategies, particularly in resource-limited environments.