The nursing care of the surgical neonate

Association Between Neonatal Arrhythmia and Mortality and Recurrence: A Retrospective Study

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the present study was to explore the association between neonatal arrhythmia (NA) and mortality and recurrence.

METHODS

A single-center, retrospective study was performed between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2019. Neonates with NA were eligible and divided into either benign or non-benign groups. The primary outcomes were mortality and recurrence within 2 to 6 years.

RESULTS

NA was diagnosed in 189 patients (0.39%) after screening 47,911 hospitalized neonates, and 10 of them did not finish the follow-up. Finally, 179 neonates were included into the final analysis (58 in the non-benign NA and 121 in the benign NA groups). The incidences of death and recurrence for NA were 5.59% (10/179) and 18.44% (33/179). Compared with neonates with benign NA, those neonates with non-benign NA were shown higher rates of death (13.79% vs. 1.65%; odds ratio [OR], 5.73; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.07-31.01; p = 0.04) and recurrence (44.83% vs. 5.79%; OR, 8.49; 95% CI, 3.12-23.08; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Neonates with non-benign NA were shown higher rates of death and recurrence when compared with benign NA. Because of high recurrence, more attention was needed in neonates with non-benign NA after discharge.

Needs and stressors of parents of term and near-term infants in the NICU: A systematic review with best practice guidelines

Having a sick infant in the NICU can be quite stressful and overwhelming to parents. They require support and may have varied needs. A systematic review of qualitative and quantitative studies from 5 electronic databases (Ovid Medline, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL and Sociological Abstracts), covering January 2001 - March 2016 identified the needs and stressors of parents of term or near-term Infants in the NICU. Six articles addressed the needs and 14 identified the stressors of parents. Parents' most important need was for accurate and honest information. Needs focused around sensitive infant care and involvement in decision-making. The greatest stressor for parents was alteration to the parental role, followed by infant appearance. Fathers and parents of infants undergoing surgery are an under-researched population. Based on the evidence, enhancing staff-parent communication would better meet parental needs and reduce stressors. Our key recommendations highlight the need for family-centred and individualised care practices in the NICU.