Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU): Difference between revisions
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== Introduction == | == Introduction == | ||
Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) | Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) is for those infants who are preterm, have low birth weight, or perinatal problems, or congenital abnormalities, respiratory disorders, neuromuscular disorders and for those who have undergone thoraco-abdominal surgery<ref name=":2" />. A NICU has advanced life support equipment and a team of highly skilled specialist medical and nursing staff to meet the unique needs of newborn babies.<ref name=":0">cahs health NICU Available:https://cahs.health.wa.gov.au/Our-services/Neonatology/Neonatal-Intensive-Care-Unit (accessed 6.10.2021)</ref> | ||
Neonatal staff: There are different types of staff in a NICU including: | Neonatal staff: There are different types of staff in a NICU including: | ||
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The practice pattern of physiotherapists for neonates in neonatal intensive care units involves both chest physiotherapy as well neuromuscular physiotherapy<ref>Chokshi T, Alaparthi GK, Krishnan S, Vaishali K, Zulfeequer CP. [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24501488/ Practice patterns of physiotherapists in neonatal intensive care units: A national survey. Indian journal of critical care medicine: peer-reviewed, official publication of Indian Society of Critical Care Medicine.] 2013 Nov;17(6):359. Available:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24501488/ (accessed 6.10.2021)</ref>. | The practice pattern of physiotherapists for neonates in neonatal intensive care units involves both chest physiotherapy as well neuromuscular physiotherapy<ref name=":2">Chokshi T, Alaparthi GK, Krishnan S, Vaishali K, Zulfeequer CP. [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24501488/ Practice patterns of physiotherapists in neonatal intensive care units: A national survey. Indian journal of critical care medicine: peer-reviewed, official publication of Indian Society of Critical Care Medicine.] 2013 Nov;17(6):359. Available:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24501488/ (accessed 6.10.2021)</ref>. | ||
Neuromuscular physiotherapy | Neuromuscular physiotherapy | ||
Revision as of 05:59, 6 October 2021
Original Editor - Lucinda hampton
Top Contributors - Lucinda hampton, Stella Constantinides, Kim Jackson and Vidya Acharya
Introduction[edit | edit source]
Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) is for those infants who are preterm, have low birth weight, or perinatal problems, or congenital abnormalities, respiratory disorders, neuromuscular disorders and for those who have undergone thoraco-abdominal surgery[1]. A NICU has advanced life support equipment and a team of highly skilled specialist medical and nursing staff to meet the unique needs of newborn babies.[2]
Neonatal staff: There are different types of staff in a NICU including:
- Neonatologists – doctors who specialise in looking after premature or ill newborns
- Nurses and midwives with special training in neonatal care
- Lactation consultants
- Allied healthcare providers such as social workers and physiotherapists
- Other medical specialists such as anaesthetists or surgeons[2].
The NICU can be overwhelming for parents as there are many pieces of equipment. The staff should explain to the parents what treatment, equipment and monitoring the baby needs eg. An incubator or heated cot to help regulate body temperature, a ventilator that assists breathing (in NICU), machines to deliver fluids/medicines via tubes directly into their veins, monitors attached to the baby’s body so that their heart rate, breathing rate and blood oxygen levels can be checked[2].
Parent's education and cooperation are very essential regarding the NICU physiotherapy and invasive procedures adopted in the NICU.[3]
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The practice pattern of physiotherapists for neonates in neonatal intensive care units involves both chest physiotherapy as well neuromuscular physiotherapy[1].
Neuromuscular physiotherapy
- Kinesthetic stimulation helps in preventing neuromuscular complications in admitted newborns in the NICU. Interventions such as kinesthetic stimulation and vestibular sensory systems show positive effects on very premature newborns. Techniques such as kangaroo care, swaddling helps in pain reduction and influences the positive neurobehavioral states. The early care interventions in premature newborn show positive effects on neurodevelopmental states.
- Physiotherapists provide parent education on passive range of motion exercise, therapeutic handling, and positioning.
- Due to prolonged immobilization, lack of physical activity leads to demineralization and growth retardation of bone in newborns. Studies tell that the range of motion exercises performed by therapist in different joints helps in increasing bone mineral density and weight gain in premature newborns
Chest physiotherapy
- Chest physiotherapy techniques eg percussions, vibrations, positioning for postural drainage, and airway suctioning may be required eg 15 min, twice a day. At least 2—3 min be spent on each affected site while giving chest physical therapy for the airway clearance and to maintain the adequate levels of oxygenation[3]
In the NICU, neonates experience long-term sequel of pain during invasive medical procedures. Hydrotherapy helps in pain reduction and improvement in sleep cycle of hospitalized stable premature newborn. [3]
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References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Chokshi T, Alaparthi GK, Krishnan S, Vaishali K, Zulfeequer CP. Practice patterns of physiotherapists in neonatal intensive care units: A national survey. Indian journal of critical care medicine: peer-reviewed, official publication of Indian Society of Critical Care Medicine. 2013 Nov;17(6):359. Available:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24501488/ (accessed 6.10.2021)
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 cahs health NICU Available:https://cahs.health.wa.gov.au/Our-services/Neonatology/Neonatal-Intensive-Care-Unit (accessed 6.10.2021)
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Sharma N, Samuel AJ, Aranha VP. Pediatric physiotherapists' role in the neonatal intensive care unit: Parent and health-care providers' perspectives. Journal of Clinical Neonatology. 2018 Jul 1;7(3):111. Available: https://www.jcnonweb.com/article.asp?issn=2249-4847;year=2018;volume=7;issue=3;spage=111;epage=115;aulast=Sharma(accessed 6.10.2021)
