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We explored the experiences of families of children aged 3\u201317 hospitalized for cardiac surgery. Semi-structured interviews were conducted. Data were analyzed using qualitative content and thematic analysis. Thirty-two parents (30 mothers and 2 fathers) and 14 patients (10 males and 4 females) participated. Seven themes emerged across three domains: (a) Challenges: disruptions in family and social support, unexpected events and inadequate communication, and uncertainty and strong emotions; (b) Preparations: emotionally preparing yourself, your children and your family, and planning for hospitalization and surgical recovery; and (c) Recommendations: enhance communication and connection for support, and provide resources and education for empowerment. Findings highlight opportunities for targeted interventions to support families across child development.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.1177\/10748407261442562","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,29]],"date-time":"2026-04-29T12:09:32Z","timestamp":1777464572000},"page":"177-189","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/sage-journals-update-policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Challenges, Preparations, and Recommendations: Family Perspectives on Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Across Childhood and Adolescence"],"prefix":"10.1177","volume":"32","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-2756-2583","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Sarah E.","family":"Wawrzynski","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Nemours Children\u2019s Health, Wilmington, DE, USA"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-8817-4213","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Erica","family":"Sood","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Nemours Children\u2019s Health, Wilmington, DE, USA"},{"name":"Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0001-6301-4798","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Kelsey","family":"Higgins","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Nemours Children\u2019s Health, Wilmington, DE, USA"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0000-0107-312X","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Alejandra","family":"Perez-Ramirez","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Nemours Children\u2019s Health, Wilmington, DE, USA"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Nahyun","family":"Kang","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-3582-1074","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Erica","family":"Del Grippo","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Nemours Children\u2019s Health, Wilmington, DE, USA"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-0508-1693","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Melissa A.","family":"Alderfer","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Nemours Children\u2019s Health, Wilmington, DE, USA"},{"name":"Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"179","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,29]]},"reference":[{"key":"e_1_3_4_2_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Acu\u00f1a Mora M. 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