Other content tagged: NICU
Visual function in preterm infants: Can early interventions help to improve visual function?
The environment and the procedures at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) can be stressful for preterm infants. Thus, brain development might be decelerated, increasing the possibility for visual impairments. However, the clinical trial by Italian researchers has shown that early interventions by parents can have a positive effect on visual functions. Previous research suggests that multisensory stimulation, especially infant massages, can help with brain development and visual maturation in preterm infants. The randomized…
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The impact of visitation restrictions in the NICU during COVID-19
Covid-19 has a big impact on the care given in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs). The implementation of family centred care has increased in recent years due to many health benefits for the neonates and family, but the Coronavirus pandemic caused hospitals to change their visitation policies. In a study conducted by Murray and Swanson, changes of the visitation rights in the NICUs and the consequences for parents and their newborns are discussed. In order…
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Factors Influencing Implementation of Family-Centred Care in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
Being in the NICU is a very stressful experience for infants. The stress level even increases when babies are separated from their parents. This can be avoided with Family-Centred Care (FCC), which involves parents in the care for their infants in order to reduce the stress on newborns and parents. Even though research shows that interactions with parents lead to multiple beneficial effects for both parents and infants, including lowering the stress level for…
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Non‐evidence‐based beliefs increase inequalities in the provision of infant‐ and family‐centred neonatal care
Many hospitals in the world still do not recognise the importance and benefits of family-centred care. This hinders parents to engage in potentially life-saving care procedures, like kangaroo mother care or breastfeeding. In a scientific study, Mendizabal-Espinosa and Warren identified obstacles regarding the implementation of family-centred care in neonatal intensive care units (NICU) of two publicly funded hospitals in Mexico. Data was gathered during a 10-month time period, by observing 29 parents (21 mothers…
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New international study on skin care practices in extremely preterm infants – participants requested
EFCNI is glad to support this survey from the University of Sydney that aims to investigate geographical variation in skin management practices in preterm infants born ≤ 27 weeks of gestation. The University of Sydney therefore requests nurses and doctors to participate in this global, ethically approved research study. This will provide a great opportunity for increasing knowledge and improving skin management practices for extremely preterm babies. To participate, a nurse or…
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The impact of COVID-19 on Parents and NICUs: An interview with Livia Nagy
The COVID-19 pandemic created new challenges for NICUs and parents of premature or sick newborns. Due to the risk of Coronavirus getting into the NICU, some units restricted the time parents were allowed to spend with their babies. But other units showed an advanced approach by letting mothers stay with their babies 24/7. We interviewed Livia Nagy from the parent organisation "Melletted a helyem Egyesület" in Hungary on the impact of COVID-19 on NICUs and parents. …
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NeonaTEL: A call centre for parental support during the COVID-19 pandemic, established by the Romanian parent organisation Unu si Unu
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic parents are in need of special support. They have questions which should be answered on daily basis. EFCNIs partner parent organisation Unu si Unu established a call center to stay in touch with parents and parents-to-be and to help them to stay healthy and close to their children in the time of COVID-19. Corina Croitoru from Asociația Unu si Unu in Romania explained how the Call Center works and what is needed to set it up.…
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If parents were a drug
Parents have a huge impact on stress and pain and thus the wellbeing of their infants during neonatal intensive care. If this effect could be achieved with a drug that has no side-effects, this drug would undoubtedly be standard of care. This drug is not available, while parents usually are. Although neonatal care has made tremendous improvements during the last years, impaired long-term neurodevelopmental outcome is still a major issue in infants that need intensive care treatment. Doctor Atle Moen…
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15 minutes is NOT OK – Irish parent organisation campaigns against the restriction of parental access to Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU)
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU) have restricted or even abolished the time parents can spend in the NICU with their baby. EFCNIs partner parent organisation Irish Neonatal Health Alliance (INHA) recently launched the campaign “15 minutes is NOT OK” which raises awareness for an issue that will have long-term consequences for both parents and babies. Mandy Daly, founder of INHA, told us how this campaign was developed. Mrs…
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Single-family rooms vs. open-bay unit: new study reveals differences in psychological well-being of parents of very preterm babies depending on type of NICU design
In a study from Norway, researchers compared depression, anxiety, stress and attachment scores in parents of very preterm babies who were accommodated either in a single-family room (SFR) or in an open-bay (OB) unit. When a child is born preterm, parents often suffer from the immediate and lengthy separation from their babies in the hospital. As our instincts are programmed to take care of our…
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