{"title":"Preemie Now Adult, She Defies the Odds on Everything.","authors":"Deb Discenza","doi":"10.1891/NN-2024-0035","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1891/NN-2024-0035","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Danielle Vassell is a wonder. Born at 1 pound, she is now an adult and a living proof that prematurity is not a bad thing. In fact, it is a superpower. She defied the odds, and she challenges others to do the same. This interview provides positive insight into prematurity and one that will help professionals insert that positivity into their families at bedside.</p>","PeriodicalId":46706,"journal":{"name":"Neonatal Network","volume":"44 2","pages":"136-138"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144021366","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The Impact of Education and Health Literacy on Neonatal and Family Well-Being.","authors":"Lenora Marcellus, Miranda Amundsen","doi":"10.1891/NN-2024-0068","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1891/NN-2024-0068","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Education access and quality are the second of five domains of determinants of health influencing the well-being of families and communities. In this column, the impacts of educational attainment and health literacy on health and well-being will be described. There is an increased need for adequate health literacy during pregnancy and parenting, including when infants require NICU care and following their discharge into the early years and beyond. Creating environments where universal precautions for health literacy and plain language communication are used will improve health outcomes for infants and parenting confidence. NICU nurses hold an essential role in creating these environments and tailoring education to parent needs.</p>","PeriodicalId":46706,"journal":{"name":"Neonatal Network","volume":"44 2","pages":"139-145"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144050259","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Respiratory Management of the Extremely Premature Infant.","authors":"Melinda Albertson, Justin Forbush","doi":"10.1891/NN-2024-0038","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1891/NN-2024-0038","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Advancements in the fields of obstetrics and neonatal medicine, notably the use of antenatal corticosteroids and exogenous surfactant, have significantly improved the chances of survival for babies born prematurely. Extremely premature infants, born before 28 weeks of gestation, have underdeveloped lungs and pulmonary vasculature, necessitating a carefully tailored respiratory management strategy that incorporates both noninvasive and invasive methods throughout their NICU stay. The primary goal of respiratory management in this cohort is to provide the least amount of support necessary while oxygenating and ventilating the lungs. Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) methods are preferred to invasive methods to minimize the risk of damaging the lungs from mechanical ventilation. Nasal continuous positive airway pressure, high-flow nasal cannula, noninvasive positive pressure ventilation, noninvasive neurally adjusted ventilatory assist, and noninvasive high-frequency oscillatory ventilation are the types of NIV most readily available for use in extremely premature infants. Invasive methods such as conventional mechanical ventilation, high-frequency oscillatory ventilation, high-frequency jet ventilation, and neurally adjusted ventilatory assist are used to manage these fragile infants when intubation is required. Despite attempts to use noninvasive methods, many extremely premature infants may still require intubation. The main goal remains to improve outcomes while minimizing risks, although bronchopulmonary dysplasia still remains a challenge. Ongoing research and a consistent approach are essential for enhancing outcomes for these babies.</p>","PeriodicalId":46706,"journal":{"name":"Neonatal Network","volume":"44 2","pages":"107-113"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144050256","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Susan M Lopata, Leeann R Pavlek, Debra Armbruster, Cecilie Halling
{"title":"Resuscitation of the Small Baby: A Team Approach.","authors":"Susan M Lopata, Leeann R Pavlek, Debra Armbruster, Cecilie Halling","doi":"10.1891/NN-2024-0026","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1891/NN-2024-0026","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Recent advancements in medicine have improved the survival of extremely low gestational age neonates, or small babies (22-27 weeks' gestation). Once inconceivable that an infant born as early as 22 weeks' gestation could survive, infants born at periviable gestational ages are now increasingly surviving to discharge from the NICU. Subsequently, clinical focus is pivoting toward practices that decrease morbidity in this extremely vulnerable population. This article aims to discuss obstetrical and neonatal practices during delivery to improve outcomes of the small baby and emphasize the importance of collaboration among all disciplines involved in the pregnancy, delivery, and postnatal care of the small baby. Effective communication and teamwork are cornerstones to improving outcomes in this patient population.</p>","PeriodicalId":46706,"journal":{"name":"Neonatal Network","volume":"44 2","pages":"114-121"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144017665","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The Care and Management of Neonates Experiencing Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome and the Role of the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse.","authors":"Caitlin Zahn","doi":"10.1891/NN-2024-0023","DOIUrl":"10.1891/NN-2024-0023","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This article aims to provide a comprehensive description of the postnatal effects of drug exposure on neonates, including neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), and the neonatal advanced practice registered nurse (APRN)'s role in working with this vulnerable and marginalized population. Maternal substance use disorders (SUDs) are a significant epidemic in the United States and are a leading cause of infant admission to the NICU. Substance use disorders carry stigmas for individuals experiencing them. The opioid crisis has played a pivotal role, with opioids being the most used substance during pregnancy. Neonatal abstinence syndrome manifests as a multisystem disorder resulting from chronic exposure to illicit or prescribed substances in utero that are abruptly halted at delivery. Symptoms of NAS vary in severity depending on the substance type and duration of exposure. The neonatal APRN is in a unique position to have a positive impact on the care provided to neonates experiencing NAS and their mothers experiencing SUD.</p>","PeriodicalId":46706,"journal":{"name":"Neonatal Network","volume":"44 1","pages":"54-60"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143606616","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Ambiguous Loss: Implications for Perinatal and Neonatal Nurses.","authors":"Rachel A Joseph, Mary Highton","doi":"10.1891/NN-2024-0032","DOIUrl":"10.1891/NN-2024-0032","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Death and grieving are regular events in the human lifecycle, and the rituals associated with the loss bring closure to dear ones. Ambiguous loss, a term coined by Pauline Boss, is a state in which there is no actual \"death\" and, therefore, no \"grieving\" or closure associated with it. Pregnancy is a happy event most of the time; however, the loss of pregnancy can be distressing to the parents. Additionally, a prenatal diagnosis can be an emotional burden to the family where the fetus is there, but an unknown loss is anticipated. While the birth of a child is expected to be a joyful event, premature birth and subsequent admission to the NICU for prolonged periods with fluctuating conditions force the parent to be in a constant crisis mode where the outcome is unknown. This can mentally, physically, and emotionally drain the parents and may cause depression or other mental health challenges. Perinatal and neonatal nurses are uniquely positioned to recognize the warning signs of emerging grief crises in the parents and support them appropriately. Such support can equip the parents for a healthy transition of care to home and help parents learn to live a healthy life despite the challenges.</p>","PeriodicalId":46706,"journal":{"name":"Neonatal Network","volume":"44 1","pages":"33-41"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143606610","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}