Analysis of research on developmentally supportive care for prematurity in neonatal intensive care unit: a scoping review

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the gaps in research related to developmentally supportive care in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The ultimate goal was to explore directions of further research on developmentally supportive care for premature patients.Methods: The Arksey and O'Malley scoping review method was used. Articles on developmentally supportive care for preterm infants in the NICU, written in English or Korean, were identified through electronic search engines. A total of 279 papers were identified in the initial search, of which 22 full-text papers were included in this review.Results: Several nursing studies have been published in the past 5 years. The important elements of developmentally supportive care were family-centered care and management of the NICU environment. The primary developmentally supportive care interventions were training programs to promote the care competency of NICU nurses.Conclusion: It is necessary to actively develop comprehensive developmental support interventions that consider the various elements of developmentally supportive care for preterm infants. Additional studies should be done to develop programs that provide direct intervention for premature infant and their families.

Effectiveness of Nicu nurses’ competence enhancement program for developmentally supportive care for preterm infants: A quasi-experimental study

“…Because of technological development and active care in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), the survival rate of Korean preterm infants has improved from 62.7% in 2007 to 85.8% in 2017 [ 3 ]. The increase in the survival rate of preterm infants has caused interest and demand for quality care of developmental support after birth [ 4 ].…”

Maternal Participation in Sensory Care of Preemies: A Pilot Study Examining the Effect on Neonatal Outcome in NICU

“…It is necessary to perform further study to develop initiatives that directly assist families of premature infants. 16 This study aimed to guide the mother in ATVV stimulation of their preterm newborn admitted to NICU and evaluate its effect on their neonatal outcome.…”

Exploring Effect of Postdischarge Developmental Support Program on Preterm Infant Neurodevelopment and BDNF Gene DNA Methylation

“…Compared with healthy term-infants, preterm infants are at greater risk of suffering early dyskinesia, postural instability, white matter injury, impaired brain development, and functional disorders at preschool age, which may persist into adolescence 3. Since the 1980s, developmental support care has become a practical early intervention approach to enrich the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) environment and minimize the early adverse stress (eg, painful procedures and excessive lighting), enhancing the long-term psychomotor and/or neurobehavioral function of very preterm infants 4…”

“…3 Since the 1980s, developmental support care has become a practical early intervention approach to enrich the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) environment and minimize the early adverse stress (eg, painful procedures and excessive lighting), enhancing the long-term psychomotor and/or neurobehavioral function of very preterm infants. 4 Several studies have developed specialized developmental supportive intervention programs for preterm infants, such as the Newborn Individualized…”