Neonatal network : NN
-
Various medications are available for symptom management during palliative care of the neonate. Neonatal nurses are knowledgeable about the use of these agents as a part of curative care and should become familiar with them as an essential aspect of palliative care. Pharmacologic symptom management is only one facet of peaceful, pain-free, family-centered palliative care. For an overview of a complete protocol for end-of-life care for neonates and their families, review Catlin and Carter's article, "Creation of a Neonatal End-of-Life Palliative Care Protocol," which appeared in an earlier issue of Neonatal Network (Vol. 21, No. 4).
-
Infant massage therapy is an inexpensive tool that should be utilized as part of the developmental care of the preterm infant. Nurses have been hesitant to begin massage therapy for fear of overstimulating the infant and because there has been insufficient research to prove its safety. ⋯ Parents of the preterm infant also benefit because infant massage enhances bonding with their child and increases confidence in their parenting skills. This article discusses the benefits and risks of massage for preterm infants and their families and explains how to implement massage therapy in the neonatal intensive care setting.
-
Neonatal network : NN · Aug 2002
ReviewManaging our first breaths: a reflection on the past several decades of neonatal pulmonary therapy.
Lung disease has been a leading cause of significant morbidity and mortality since neonates first drew breath. Over the past few decades, many treatment options have evolved to aid us in our ability to support neonatal breathing. ⋯ Understanding traditional therapeutic options and knowing what may be on the horizon can help caregivers to better match treatment plans with individual infants. This article reviews advances in mechanical ventilation, adjuvant therapies, and respiratory drugs through the past few decades and speculates on future directions in this field.
-
Neonatal network : NN · Aug 2002
ReviewSome pain, some gain: reflections on the past two decades of neonatal pain research and treatment.
This review reflects back on the progress that has been made in infant pain research over the past 20 years and how the research has influenced (or has failed to influence) the attitudes and practices of health professionals about infant pain. Progress in understanding of infant pain neurobiology, treatment, and measurement are discussed, and new directions for future research are proposed.
-
A newborn lies wide-awake, about to be intubated. The infant is able to feel everything, to hear everything--but cannot do anything to change the situation. Big people hold down the newborn and place a laryngoscope blade into the mouth, then a large endotracheal tube into the trachea. ⋯ Use of these medications optimizes intubating conditions and helps to minimize the adverse physiologic effects of intubation. Neonatology has yet to embrace this trend, however. This article addresses the issue of sedation for intubation in the neonatal population.