Growth Measurement Practices from a National Survey of Neonatal Nurses

A pilot exploratory study examining the potential influence of continuous positive airway pressure devices on cranial molding trajectories in preterm infants

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this exploratory study was to assess the potential impacts of two different continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) devices on preterm infant head shape and circumference.

STUDY DESIGN

Twenty infants born at <32 weeks gestational age requiring CPAP support were enrolled. Ten infants used the Hudson RCI Nasal Prong CPAP device and 10 infants used the Fisher-Paykel CPAP device. Infant Cranial Index (CI) and head circumference (HC) were collected weekly as well as infant gestational age at birth, and total number of days on CPAP.

RESULTS

At baseline, average total birthweight of infants was 1021 grams (SD = 227 grams), average gestational age was 26.9 weeks (SD = 1.80), mean CI was 79.7 cm (SD = 5.95), and HC was 10.2 cm (SD = 0.92). Days on CPAP ranged from 16 to 63 days, with an average of 40.7 (SD = 13.6) days. Neither CI nor HC differed by device type; however, the Fisher-Paykel device was associated with slightly greater HC growth rate.

CONCLUSION

CPAP devices and the pressures they apply plausibly contribute to preterm infant cranial molding over time, with the greatest potential impact on infants who require CPAP support for longer periods; however, these findings must be validated in larger cohorts. Additionally, positioning practices should be further examined to determine how they may contribute to or prevent the development of cranial molding deformity.

Comparison of Infant Length Measurements Using Tape Measure Versus Length Board

BACKGROUND

For infants requiring intensive care, infant length is a primary gauge of nutrition and forms the basis for important future treatment decisions. However, existing evidence demonstrates discrepancies in infant length measurements between tape measure and length board.

PURPOSE

To compare the accuracy and reliability of infant length measurements using tape measure (standard practice) and length board in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at a public academic medical center.

METHODS

Using a single-group, quasi-experimental, repeated-measures design, 108 infants (35.58 ± 3.68 weeks, male 59%, 2124.83 ± 881.69 g) admitted to the NICU were prospectively enrolled. Clinical nurses measured infants weekly per unit-based protocol using tape measures. Study team measured length using length boards within 24 hours of tape measurement. Primary outcome was infant length. Length measurements were converted to sex-specific Fenton or WHO growth percentiles. Linear mixed-effects regression, κ coefficient, intraclass correlation coefficient, and positive predictive value were calculated.

FINDINGS/RESULTS

The main effect of measurement conditions and time was significant. Predicted length was 0.38 cm lower for length board than for tape measure over time. Weighted κ coefficient and intraclass correlation coefficient indicated good to excellent agreement. More than 37% of infants shifted to a new percentile category based on both measurements. Positive predictive value of length board at time 1 was 63%.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Length board measurements are reliable for accurate classification of an infant's growth curve to influence diagnosis and future plan of care.

IMPLICATIONS FOR RESEARCH

Future research warrants replication using a longitudinal design across multiple sites.

The competence of neonatal intensive care nurses: A systematic review

OBJECTIVE

The objective was to conduct a systematic review describing the competencies required from nurses working in neonatal intensive care settings.

DESIGN

Systematic review.

DATA SOURCES

A total of eight databases, including PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, MEDLINE, Mednar, Web of Science, ProQuest and Medic, were screened for relevant literature during February and September 2022.

REVIEW METHODS

The systematic review process followed Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines. The inclusion criteria were: 1) (P = population) registered nurses; 2) (C = concept) the competence; 3) (C = context) nursing in neonatal intensive care units; and 4) cross-sectional study as study method. A critical appraisal tool for cross-sectional studies from Joanna Briggs Institute was used by two independent reviewers. After data extraction, thematic analysis was performed.

RESULTS

The database searches yielded a total of 8887 studies and after two independent evaluations, a total of 50 eligible studies were identified comprising of 7536 registered nurses working in neonatal intensive care units across 19 countries. The studies described four main competence themes: 1) neonatal care interventions; 2) caring for a dying infant; 3) family-centered care; and 4) neonatal intensive care interventions.

CONCLUSION

Previous research has focused on evaluating specific competencies that are necessary in the neonatal intensive care setting. There is a need for research concerning the overall competence of nurses working in neonatal intensive care units. There was a lot of variety within the quality of the eligible studies and within the used instruments.

PROTOCOL REGISTRATION

This systematic review was registered in Prospero (PROSPERO 2022 CRD42022308028).

Nurse-Driven Interventions for Improving ELBW Neurodevelopmental Outcomes

Survival rates for extremely low-birth-weight (ELBW) infants are improving as neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI) rates stay stable, thereby increasing the overall number of infants with NDI. Although there are many determinants of NDI in this population, nutritional factors are of interest because they are readily modifiable in the clinical setting. Nurses can influence nutritional factors such as improving access to human milk feeding, using growth monitoring, establishing feeding policies, implementing oral care with colostrum, facilitating kangaroo care, and providing lactation education for the mother. All of these measures assist in leading to a decrease in NDI rates among ELBW infants.

Challenges in the growth and development of newborns with extra-uterine growth restriction

INTRODUCTION

Extra-uterine growth restriction (EUGR) is a condition caused by the failure of very preterm infants to reach their potential growth during the NICU hospital stay. Despite enormous improvements in nutritional support and strategies, the growth pattern of preterm infants is still far from the one expected.

AREAS COVERED

This review focuses on what EUGR is, highlighting controversial aspects of this topic. EUGR is still missing a univocal definition, and the international debate is also open on what is the best growth chart to use. Moreover, professionals in NICU may not be trained on how to perform anthropometric measurements, increasing the risk of over- or underestimation, especially for length assessment. EUGR has recently been described as one of the main comorbidities in NICU, influencing growth, metabolism, and neurodevelopment later in life.

EXPERT OPINION

There is still much to investigate about what the best growth pattern in the NICU should be. What is known so far is that the majority of preterm neonates develop EUGR, and this leads to several short- and long-term consequences. It is imperative that neonatologists and pediatric endocrinologists work together, to modulate growth in the NICU.

A Survey of Neonatal Nurses Perspectives on Voice Use and Auditory Needs with Premature Infants in the NICU

BACKGROUND

Exposure to the voice and language during the critical period of auditory development associated with the third trimester is thought to be an essential building block for language. Differences in the auditory experience associated with early life in the NICU may increase the risk of language delays for premature infants. NICU nurses are fundamental in the care of premature infants; how they use their voices may be important in understanding auditory experiences in the NICU. This study examined voice use behaviors of NICU nurses in the United States and their current knowledge of early auditory development.

METHOD

An opt-in, online questionnaire.

RESULTS

Nurses reported using their voice more as the age of infants approached term gestation and speaking to infants was the most common type of voice use. Both infant and nurse factors influenced reported voice use decisions in the NICU. Nurses did not believe the NICU auditory environment to be sufficient to meet early auditory needs of premature infants but did believe that premature infants are exposed to adequate voice sounds.

CONCLUSIONS

A gap in knowledge regarding the importance of early exposure to voice sounds may be a barrier to nurses using their voices to support early auditory development.

Measurement of Head Circumference: Implications for Microcephaly Surveillance in Zika-Affected Areas

Worldwide recognition of the Zika virus outbreak in the Americas was triggered by an unexplained increase in the frequency of microcephaly. While severe microcephaly is readily identifiable at birth, diagnosing less severe cases requires comparison of head circumference (HC) measurement to a growth chart. We examine measured values of HC and digit preference in those values, and, by extension, the prevalence of microcephaly at birth in two data sources: a research study in Honduras and routine surveillance data in Uruguay. The Zika in Pregnancy in Honduras study enrolled pregnant women prenatally and followed them until delivery. Head circumference was measured with insertion tapes (SECA 212), and instructions including consistent placement of the tape and a request to record HC to the millimeter were posted where newborns were examined. Three indicators of microcephaly were calculated: (1) HC more than 2 standard deviations (SD) below the mean, (2) HC more than 3 SD below the mean (referred to as “severe microcephaly”) and (3) HC less than the 3rd percentile for sex and gestational age, using the INTERGROWTH-21st growth standards. We compared these results from those from a previous analysis of surveillance HC data from the Uruguay Perinatal Information System (Sistema Informático Perinatal (SIP). Valid data on HC were available on 579 infants, 578 with gestational age data. Nine babies (1.56%, 95% CI 0.71–2.93) had HC < 2SD, including two (0.35%, 95% CI 0.04–1.24) with HC < 3SD, and 11 (1.9%, 95% CI, 0.79–3.02) were below the 3rd percentile. The distribution of HC showed strong digit preference: 72% of measures were to the whole centimeter (cm) and 19% to the half-cm. Training and use of insertion tapes had little effect on digit preference, nor were overall HC curves sufficient to detect an increase in microcephaly during the Zika epidemic in Honduras. When microcephaly prevalence needs to be carefully analyzed, such as during the Zika epidemic, researchers may need to interpret HC data with caution.

National Prevalence of Donor Milk Use Among Level 1 Nurseries

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Donor milk use has increased among very preterm infants because of mounting evidence of health benefits; however, the extent that donor milk is used among healthy term infants in level 1 nurseries is unclear. We aimed to determine (1) national prevalence of and (2) hospital factors associated with donor milk use in level 1 nurseries.

METHODS

Among 3040 US birthing hospitals, we randomly selected hospitals from each of 4 US regions (119 in northeast, 120 in Midwest, 116 in west, and 103 in south) for a total of 458 hospitals. We surveyed the nursing leaders of these hospitals from October to December 2017 regarding routine use of donor milk in the level 1 nursery (yes or no). To estimate national prevalence, we weighted responses according to the number of birthing hospitals within each region. We examined relationships between routine donor milk use in the level 1 nursery and hospital characteristics using multivariable logistic regression.

RESULTS

In total, 214 of 458 (47%) nursing leaders responded. The national prevalence of routine donor milk use in level 1 nurseries was 17.6%. Eighty-five percent of donor milk programs were ≤5 years old. Donor milk use occurred more often in hospitals with ≥1500 annual births (41.7%), compared to ≤500 annual births (6.3%) (adjusted odds ratio 7.8; 95% confidence interval 1.8-34.4), and in the west (30.9%), compared to the northeast (10.5%) (adjusted odds ratio 4.1; 95% confidence interval [1.1-14.9]).

CONCLUSIONS

Although there is limited evidence to support donor milk for healthy infants in the nursery, nearly one-fifth of level 1 US nurseries routinely used donor milk in 2017.