Essay on Noise in the Nicu

The new versus classic BPD features have changed over the years. The approaches to care, including surfactant administration, permissive hypercapnia, and noninvasive ventilation have changed. All these has increased the survival of low birth weight infants as before with classic BPD. The classic BPD was before surfactant and more management techniques, and inflammation and alveolar septal fibrosis. All these changes were associated with oxygen toxicity, infection, and barotrauma.

Premature birth has been linked to a vast array of lungs problems, the earlier the birth the greater risk of health complications(Davis R and Mychaliska G, 2013). A majority of the health problems will affect the infant for the rest of their life (Davis R and Mychaliska G, 2013). Infants born between the canalicular and the saccular period (week 25) have lung development that is unsuitable for gas exchange (Davis R and Mychaliska G, 2013). Two major complications that arise with undeveloped lungs is bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and pulmonary arterial hypertension (Mahgoub L. et al. 2017).

overexposed to oxygen for extended periods (Jobe & Kallapur, 2010). When a baby is born

According to the World Health Organisation [WHO] (2014) pre-term babies are at increased risk of illness, disability and death. It also states that globally 15 million babies are born pre-term and the figures are rising. In England and Wales during 2012 7.3% of live births were pre-term under 37 weeks nearly 85% of all babies born prematurely will have a very low birth weight (Office for National Statistics, 2012). Pre-term birth is associated with respiratory complications and lung disease, long-tern neurological damage and problems with bowel function (Henderson & Macdonald, 2011). Neonatal services provide care to babies who are born prematurely or are ill and require specialist care. It is seen that sixty per cent of infant deaths occur in the neonatal period (DH,

Ricci, S. Kyle, T. and Carman, S. (2017). Maternity and pediatric nursing 3rd ed. Philadelphia:

Do not use breathing monitors or products marketed as ways to reduce SIDS. In the past, home apnea (breathing) monitors were recommended for families with a history of the condition. But research found that they had no effect, and the use of home monitors has largely stopped.

The neonatal unit is a unit that is designed to take care of premature infants. The nurses are not only taking care of the infants but also the parents. While parents have children in the neonatal unit their stress level is much higher. When a mother gives birth to her and her spouse’s child, she is experiencing

One of the most controversial behaviours parents can do is adjust the babies sleeping environment. There have been multiple arguments on this topic; however, research has shown that a babies sleeping environment can impact their sleeping safety tremendously. Some safety precautions all care givers can do is: placing the baby on their back to sleep, keeping the crib clean and clear of any toys or pillows, don’t overheat the baby with clothes or blankets instead try a sleeping sack, and lastly allow the baby to sleep in the caregivers room for the first six months or until the infant is capable of rolling over on their own. Another way to help prevent SIDS is by using a pacifier. Strangely enough, pacifiers can reduce the risk of SIDS due to the fact that they help prevent a baby from going into a deep sleep. Though, caregivers need to take precaution when doing this if an infant is breast feeding as they should not be introduced to pacifiers until they are nursing well. Consequently, one of the easiest ways to prevent SIDS is to not ignore sicknesses, especially respiratory related issues. In the first year of an infant’s life something as simple as a cough or old can impact them greatly. By taking an infant to a clinic, doctor, or even the emergency room as soon as any signs of sickness strike could save their life. Ultimately, there is no guaranteed that these precautions will work and unfortunately SIDS does happen. Despite that, there are multiple ways for caregivers to cope with this

Although essential for survival, mechanical ventilation of preterm infants is closely associated with a high risk of developing bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) (Wallace et al., 2009). Bronchopulmonary dysplasia is

Less than 30 years ago the survival rate of premature babies was 25%, now that number has risen to a survival rate of 90%(Dutton, Judy). The increase in this number is most likely due to the advanced medicine and technology and the help of neonatal nurses. By having an advancement in technology and medicine gives us a wider range to work with to help these premature babies survive. Neonatal nurses are there to help contribute to the health of these babies so they can grow strong and healthy. Within nursing, especially neonatal nursing, that has been around since early 1900s have helped save and nurture our babies of the future.

The first source is a non-experimental design that took place in both an open ward and SFR NICU at Cabell Huntington Hospital. Two hundred and forty infants were monitored in this study. One hundred and thirty-three infants were observed in an open ward, and one hundred and seven were kept in single family rooms (SFRs). This study quantitatively measured the noise level, illumination, air quality, temperature, growth and development of the infant, the amount of respiratory support needed, and the baby’s nutritional progress in each environment. The findings of this study show that humidity particulates, noise, and exposure to bright light were decreased in the SFRs. In the SFRs there are also reduced ventilator needs, a reduction in days that infants were on total parenteral nutrition

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit also known as The NICU is a special department in the hospital that specializes in infants. The NICU is responsible for tiny patients born either ill or prematurely. This can be a scary place for your baby not only because they are ill but because of all the machines and sounds. This department consists of newborns, doctors, families, nurses and other specialized providers who have

There are seven main principles in the Neonatal Integrative Developmental Care Model: a healing environment, partnership with family, positioning and handling, safeguarding sleep, minimizing stress and pain, protecting skin, and optimizing nutrition. These seven measures are used to provide optimal health care, both long term and short term, for premature infants. One of the most important elements of healing for premature infants is skin to skin contact. The Neonatal Integrative Developmental Care Model includes neuroprotective techniques to produce a combination of neurological, physical, and emotional development and avoid the development of disabilities. Parents are able to restore their parent-infant attachment, in this model, which helps both infants and parents health. NICU staff are not taught the neuroprotective skills during their training but have to be further educated. In order to ensure an optimal NICU, all NICU staff should be taught these skills during their training. Developmentally supportive care should be seen as a necessity not as an option. Optimal health care for premature infants also depends on the leadership and passion of NICU staff. There needs to be role model staff members that will train and set a high standard for other NICU member. (Altimier, L., & Phillips, R.

The nurse must be mindful of each intervention initiated and the possible benefits of the intervention against its potential harmful effects for both mother and fetus. Not providing basic comfort measures for the mother can cause serious physical and emotional problems and could lead to possible fatigue and feelings of failure from the mother. The priority of this nursing intervention is to provide the mother and fetus with the least discomfort as possible and

Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is a common lung disorder that mostly affects preterm infants. RDS is caused by insufficient surfactant production and structural immaturity of the lungs leading to alveolar collapse. Clinically, RDS presents soon after birth with tachypnea, nasal flaring, grunting, retractions, hypercapnia, and/or an oxygen need. The usual course is clinical worsening followed by recovery in 3 to 5 days as adequate surfactant production occurs. Research in the prevention and treatment of this disease has led to major improvements in the care of preterm infants with RDS and increased survival. However, RDS remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality especially in the most preterm infants. This chapter reviews the most current evidence-based management of RDS, including prevention, delivery room stabilization, respiratory management, and supportive care.