Prematurity and NICU: Medical, Psychological Issues and Developmental Impact, Slides of Public Health

Download Prematurity and NICU: Medical, Psychological Issues and Developmental Impact and more Slides Public Health in PDF only on Docsity! Premature Infants and the NICU Medical & Psychological Issues Docsity.com Description  250,000 newborn infants admitted to NICU’s annually in US  Most are born premature, at low birth weight, or both  Premature infant = born prior to 37th week of gestation  Low birth weight = less than 5.5 pounds Docsity.com Normal Placenta Causes of Prematurity  Prenatal care, no drugs, & healthy diet reduce chances  Most premature births occur in middle-class women Docsity.com The Premature Infant  Immature organ development  Difficulties adapting to the extrauterine environment  Physical appearance  Lanugo  Absence of fat  Elongated head Docsity.com Positive Changes in the NICU  Minimize unneccesary contact  Relocate or quiet noisy equipment  Shield infants’ isolettes from light  Provide day-night cycles in terms of light & activity  Supply pleasant visual and auditory stimulation  Provide gentle touch Docsity.com Transition to Home  Anxiety about assuming full responsibility of care for the infant  Infant may be less than optimally responsive & still may be medically fragile  Infant irritability  Parent fatigue  Parent concern for infant’s developmental progress Docsity.com Prematurity & Later Development  Growth & health  Cognitive development Docsity.com Parenting a Premature Infant  Other family members  Fathers  Grandmothers  Siblings Docsity.com Parenting a Premature Infant  Family-focused interventions  Support groups  Teach parents to care & stimulate child  Provide intervention beyond NICU stay Docsity.com Role of Pediatric Psychologist  Support & services provide to family  Devote attention to PARENT needs  Organize parent support groups  Provide child-rearing advice  Be link between families and staff  Provide grief counseling, when needed Docsity.com