Abstract

Aim. This paper reviews various positions for neonates admitted to Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), describes benefits and disadvantages of each position and suggests a clinical guideline to improve development.

Background. It has been known that development of active muscle tone begins at 36 weeks gestation, when the baby achieves a postural state known as physiological flexion. Premature babies suffer from low muscle tone because they have missed out on some or all of the substantial stages of muscle tone development in the uterus. Without appropriate intervention these babies may experience head flattening and cranial molding. Without support, gravity causes preterm babies shoulders and hips flatten onto the bed, often called ‘frog leg position’ and ‘W arm position’. This can result in inappropriate or delayed development and mobility challenges including the inability to crawl, stand, walk and problem in fine motor skills such as hand-mouth co-ordination.

Method. In this literature review, papers published during the last 15 years, were searched out through search engines and data bases: Science Direct, Google Scholar, Ebsco, Pub Med, Ovid, Proquest based on which 16 papers about neonatal positioning during nursing care were selected. Also, three neonatal textbook were used.

Result. One of the earliest neurodevelopmental strategies in the NICU is therapeutic positioning. Positioning of premature infant is an essential neonatal nursing care. These positions are supine, prone, side-lying, and head up tilted position. Many studies have shown that a variety of outcomes can be affected by different body positioning of premature infants. Every position has its own advantages and disadvantages, so each infant should be individually assessed and positioned according to condition, preferences and behavioral cues. Position changes should be slow and steady, so that the infant doesn’t become distressed and dislodgement of invasive and monitoring equipment can be avoided. Whenever possible, an infant should be touched gently and talked to before changing their position.

Conclusion. It is necessary to ensure that preterm and sick neonates receive individualized positioning appropriate for their musculoskeletal development in order to minimize complications. Infants receiving developmentally supportive care have been demonstrated better medical outcomes including shorter duration of mechanical ventilation and supplemental oxygen support, earlier oral feeding, and shorter hospitalization.

Aim. This study aimed at examining the effect of nursing care training program on outcomes of mechanically- ventilated infants.

Background. Mechanical ventilation in infants is considered as an invasive procedures with complications such as bronchopulmonary dysplasia, lung bleeding, obstruction or removal of the endotracheal tube, which are almost all preventable. Nurse have responsibility to avoid these complications.

Method. This study was a randomized clinical trial (outcome-based). The study included all infants undergoing mechanical ventilation in the neonatal intensive care unit of Comprehensive Women's hospital in Tehran. Nurses were trained over one month at bedside by the clinical instructor. Data on ventilator complications were collected of 120 cases from patients' medical records, before and after intervention. The data were analyzed by SPSS version 21.

Findings: A statistical significant decrease was seen in most outcomes. The incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia declined from 35% to 18%, re-intubation decreased from 57% to 33%, pulmonary hemorrhage declined from 32% to 13%, and pneumothorax changed from 55% to 35%. Duration of mechanical ventilation and length of stay also decreased significantly after intervention. No statistically significant decrease was observed in retinopathy of prematurity and death.

Conclusion. Educational program, especially by the coach, is effective on most outcomes of the infants under mechanical ventilation. Taking into account the workload of nurses and problems with attending in educational classes outside of the ward, it is recommended to hold education at bedside for nurses to improve quality of education.

Method. This literature review was conducted through a systematic and targeted search of articles and texts published from 2008 to 2024 in PubMed/, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Scopus using the keywords Patent ductus arteriosus, Infant, Nursing care, Treatment, and their Persian equivalents.