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. 2020 Jul;25(3):e12292.
doi: 10.1111/jspn.12292. Epub 2020 Apr 14.

The role of weighing-bathing sequence and postmenstrual age in eliciting adaptive/maladaptive responses in very low birth weight preterm infants

Stefano Bembich  1 , Antonella Trappan  1 , Alice Galimberti  2 , Jessica Taglieri  2 , Sabrina Scolz  1 , Francesco Maria Risso  1 , Gianfranco Sanson  2
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Free article

The role of weighing-bathing sequence and postmenstrual age in eliciting adaptive/maladaptive responses in very low birth weight preterm infants

Stefano Bembich et al. J Spec Pediatr Nurs. 2020 Jul.
Free article

Abstract

Purpose: In the neonatal intensive care unit, preterm infants are exposed to several stressful stimuli. Inappropriate stimulation led to high risk for short- and long-term neurocognitive disabilities. This study aimed to evaluate whether the sequence of execution of weighing/bathing nursing procedures and postmenstrual age (PMA) have any effect on preterm infants' stress responses.

Design and methods: Prospective cross-sectional study on a sample of 21 preterm infants. Responses to the procedures were assessed using an observational sheet based on Als's Synactive Theory of Development. Autonomic and motor responses were scored according to five-point Likert scales. The order of execution of weighing/bathing nursing procedures and PMA were documented. Effects of weighing/bathing execution sequence and PMA on autonomic and motor response scores were analyzed by linear multiple regression analysis.

Results: The sequence of execution had a significant effect on the autonomic score during weighing (p = .035), evidencing more stress when weighing was executed first. A higher level of stress response on the autonomic score during both weighing (p = .015) and bathing (p = .018) procedure was independently associated with a lower infant PMA.

Conclusions and practice implications: The real-time recognition of adaptive/maladaptive responses allows nurses to personalize their approach to preterm infants, taking into account PMA and adjusting the appropriate sequence of execution of weighing/bathing nursing procedures.

Keywords: NIDCAP; nursing; postmenstrual age; preterm infant; stability; stress.

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References

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