Advances in neonatal care : official journal of the National Association of Neonatal Nurses最新文献

{"title":"The Development of Enterovirus Sepsis Syndrome in a Preterm Neonate: A Case Report.","authors":"Rachel Rutland","doi":"10.1097/ANC.0000000000001286","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1097/ANC.0000000000001286","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Enterovirus (EV) infections are common in pregnant patients and neonates. However, peripartum EV infections are significantly underdiagnosed. Infants with EV infection may be asymptomatic, present with a non-specific febrile illness, or develop life-threatening disease.</p><p><strong>Clinical findings: </strong>This infant had an unremarkable clinical course for a preterm neonate, until a rising direct bilirubin, elevated liver enzymes, coagulopathy, and thrombocytopenia were identified by the neonatology team. The infant was then transferred to the level IV NICU with concern for liver failure of unknown origin.</p><p><strong>Primary diagnosis: </strong>This case describes the development of EV sepsis syndrome in a preterm neonate, including EV sepsis, hepatitis, meningitis, and myocarditis.</p><p><strong>Interventions: </strong>The neonate received intravenous immunoglobulin as supportive care. An emergency Investigational New Drug Application was submitted to the FDA Center for Drug Evaluation and Research Division of Antivirals, and the experimental antiviral pocapavir was authorized for compassionate use.</p><p><strong>Outcomes: </strong>The neonate was discharged home from the NICU on day of life 75. She improved clinically by the end of treatment, with no critical sequelae of EV sepsis syndrome observed and no identifiable adverse effects of pocapavir noted. Regarding follow-up, the specialists continue to be pleased with her progress.</p><p><strong>Practice recommendations: </strong>Enterovirus infections are ubiquitous in neonates and can cause life-threatening disease. NICU clinicians must maintain a high index of suspicion for EV infection. Lastly, the collaboration and creativity of the interdisciplinary team is vital, including the potential investigation of experimental treatments that could possibly help in extreme circumstances of acute illness.</p>","PeriodicalId":520547,"journal":{"name":"Advances in neonatal care : official journal of the National Association of Neonatal Nurses","volume":"25 5","pages":"447-453"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145188274","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":"Human Milk as Diaper Dermatitis Prevention in the NICU: A Quasi-Experimental Study.","authors":"Sara S Stoltman, Media S Esser, Abbygael Brodbeck, Janmesh D Patel, Tiffany A Moore","doi":"10.1097/ANC.0000000000001290","DOIUrl":"10.1097/ANC.0000000000001290","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) face significant skin integrity challenges due to immature epidermis and weakened immune defenses. Despite the prevalence of diaper dermatitis among NICU infants, exacerbated by overhydration and skin barrier disruption, standardized preventive measures remain inconsistent with a lack of focus on natural solutions. Human milk, with its immunoprotective and anti-inflammatory properties, holds promise as a topical preventive agent for diaper dermatitis (DD), yet remains under-researched.</p><p><strong>Purpose: </strong>This study evaluated the prevalence of DD following the prophylactic application of human milk to the diaper area, referred to as \"breast milk on babies' bottoms\" (BoBB).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A pre-post quasi-experimental design was used in a Level III NICU from September 2017 to March 2018 to evaluate BoBB. Infants >34 weeks gestation, with NICU stays >7 days, receiving >160 mL of maternal human milk by Day 7, and without prior DD or barrier product use were included.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 56 infants were analyzed, with 32 in the control group and 24 in the BoBB group. The prevalence of DD was 25% (n = 6) in the BoBB group, compared to 53% (n = 17) in the control group. The sample had mean gestational age and birth weights of 36.2 weeks (SD 1.9) and 2602.5 g (SD 712), respectively. Infants in the BoBB group had lower birthweights, lower gestational ages, and longer NICU stays.</p><p><strong>Implications for practice and research: </strong>This first U.S. study on human milk for DD prevention in the NICU suggests that it may serve as a safe, effective alternative to barrier creams for infants >34 weeks.</p>","PeriodicalId":520547,"journal":{"name":"Advances in neonatal care : official journal of the National Association of Neonatal Nurses","volume":" ","pages":"518-524"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145056260","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":"Parents+: An Early Behavioral Intervention as a Pathway for Parent-Partnered Care.","authors":"Rosemary White-Traut, Karen Gralton, Marin Schmitt, Debra Brandon, Karen Kavanaugh, Kathleen F Norr","doi":"10.1097/ANC.0000000000001288","DOIUrl":"10.1097/ANC.0000000000001288","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Neonatal nurses have a major role in helping parents engage with their infant. A high level of parent participation, called Parent-Partnered Care, integrates parents as full partners in the delivery of hospital care to their infants. One parent-partnered intervention that improves infant, parent, and parent-infant outcomes is H-HOPE (Hospital to Home: Optimizing the Preterm Infant Environment). H-HOPE has 2 components: Massage+ and Parents+.</p><p><strong>Purpose: </strong>The purpose of this article is to present an evidence-based guide showing how to deliver Parents+ and the implications for nursing practice.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The nursing approach to Parents+ includes participatory guidance and social support, which fosters a partnership with parents. The guidelines for using participatory guidance include a detailed description of each teaching/learning session along with implications for nursing practice.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Parents' experienced many benefits from participating in the Parents+ sessions. They reported feeling more confident in the care of their infant and more satisfied with learning and delivering Massage+. Additionally, parents also reported less fears handling their infants, increased feelings of bonding/attachment, and a sensitivity/responsiveness to their infant's behavioral cues.</p><p><strong>Implications for practice: </strong>Parents+ presents an opportunity for nurses to help parents engage with their infants and increase their confidence and competence. Parents' desire a neonatal intensive care unit culture that embraces a comprehensive collaborative approach with healthcare professionals that is individualized to their infant's health and well-being.</p>","PeriodicalId":520547,"journal":{"name":"Advances in neonatal care : official journal of the National Association of Neonatal Nurses","volume":"25 5","pages":"432-440"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12483177/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145188211","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Feasibility and Measurement of Bedside Milk Expression in the NICU: A Mixed Methods Study.","authors":"Jessica Gomez, Diane Wardell, Carina Katigbak, Amy Hair, Cathy Rozmus","doi":"10.1097/ANC.0000000000001298","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1097/ANC.0000000000001298","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Supporting preterm infants with mother's own milk (MOM) can improve health outcomes and decrease mortality. Lactation in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is a disconnected process that often requires mothers to initiate lactation with a breast pump. One solution to improve the mothers' experience is to bring mothers and infants together by expressing milk at the infant's bedside.</p><p><strong>Purpose: </strong>This study evaluated the feasibility (eg. enrollment, retention, adherence) and maternal experience of daily bedside milk expression for the first month of NICU admission for mothers of infants born at ≤32 weeks.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A convergent mixed methods approach evaluated the feasibility of bedside milk expression in the NICU. English- and Spanish-speaking mothers were asked to express milk at the bedside and complete a daily survey for one month. After 30 days, the mothers participated in a qualitative interview to understand their experiences.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Out of 32 mothers approached, 28 consented. Most mothers were Black/African American (n = 9) or Hispanic/White (n = 17). The study met the a priori criteria for enrollment and retention but not the criteria for adherence. Barriers were similar between mothers and did not influence adherence to bedside milk expression. The qualitative analysis found that coping moderated the barriers and facilitators to expressing milk at the bedside. The guiding framework was modified to demonstrate the influence of coping on lactation behaviors.</p><p><strong>Implications for practice: </strong>Interventions to improve maternal coping may improve adherence to bedside milk expression.</p>","PeriodicalId":520547,"journal":{"name":"Advances in neonatal care : official journal of the National Association of Neonatal Nurses","volume":"25 5","pages":"487-497"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145188229","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":"What Counts as a NICU Family Meeting?: A Qualitative Study of Parent and Professional Perspectives.","authors":"Animesh Sabnis, Amanda McArthur, Eunice Hagen, Sofia Fojo, Heather Hackett, Derjung M Tarn","doi":"10.1097/ANC.0000000000001294","DOIUrl":"10.1097/ANC.0000000000001294","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Interdisciplinary family meetings reduce parental traumatic stress and promote shared decisions in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Existing definitions of family meetings derive from adult studies. NICUs need NICU-specific criteria reflecting their distinct clinical and psychosocial context.</p><p><strong>Purpose: </strong>To identify NICU parent and clinician values and expectations about the structure and functions of family meetings to develop a NICU-specific definition and checklist for quantifying neonatal family meetings.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Qualitative thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with parents and clinical professionals recruited from an academic, quaternary-care NICU.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Thirteen parents and 25 professionals (16 nurses, 7 neonatologists, 2 social workers) defined a NICU family meeting as a seated, serious conversation in a private room involving a patient's parents, nurse, and neonatologist. This definition translated to a checklist capturing meeting location and participants. Participants differentiated \"meetings\" (\"serious\" conversations needed when parents and professionals lack a shared understanding of the child's condition) from \"updates\" (\"general\" parent-professional conversations). Participants identified logistical and cultural barriers to holding crucial meetings and generated solutions.</p><p><strong>Implications for practice: </strong>This study identified nurse presence and participation as essential for serious conversations with NICU families. Nursing and hospital leaders can implement the resultant NICU-centered definition and checklist for neonatal family meetings into health informatic systems to promote parent-professional communication and to prospectively monitor unit-wide family-centered care.</p><p><strong>Implications for research: </strong>Future research should validate the checklist across diverse NICUs, assess its impact on family outcomes, and identify solutions to barriers limiting nurse participation in family meetings.</p>","PeriodicalId":520547,"journal":{"name":"Advances in neonatal care : official journal of the National Association of Neonatal Nurses","volume":" ","pages":"525-537"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145056345","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":"Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC) Maintenance Affects Pain and Comfort in Preterm Infants: Effectiveness of a Therapeutic Touch.","authors":"Türkan Kadiroğlu, İlknur Budancamanak, Ebru Betül Albayrak, Kadir Şerafettin Tekgündüz, Mustafa Kara","doi":"10.1097/ANC.0000000000001300","DOIUrl":"10.1097/ANC.0000000000001300","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC) maintenance may cause pain or trauma in preterm infants.</p><p><strong>Purpose: </strong>To determine the pain and comfort levels of preterm infants during PICC maintenance and examine the effect of Palmar Grasp Reflex (PGR) stimulation on pain and comfort.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The population of this crossover randomized controlled trial consisted of infants being treated in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Infants born before the 37th gestational week, who receive PICC maintenance for the first time, were included in the study. PGR stimulation was applied during the experimental condition. The study was completed with 61 observations (experimental: 30, control: 31). Data were collected via video recordings using Preterm Infant Pain Profile-Revision (PIPP-R) and Preterm Infant Comfort Scale (COMFORTneo). PIPP-R and COMFORTneo were evaluated before maintenance, during removal of the transparent film cover, during application of disinfectant, and after maintenance.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The difference between conditions in the mean PIPP-R and COMFORTneo scores during removal of the transparent film cover during PICC maintenance, during application of disinfectant, and after maintenance was statistically significant in favor of the experimental condition. The effect of PGR stimulation on infants' crying duration was strong and significant (R2 = .519).</p><p><strong>Implications for practice: </strong>Infants experienced moderate pain during PICC maintenance. PGR stimulation reduced pain, increased comfort and shortened crying time. Nurses can perform PGR stimulation, which is a therapeutic touch, during painful procedures.</p><p><strong>Implications for research: </strong>The effectiveness of other nonpharmacological methods that reduce pain and increase comfort in PICC maintenance should be evaluated.</p>","PeriodicalId":520547,"journal":{"name":"Advances in neonatal care : official journal of the National Association of Neonatal Nurses","volume":"25 5","pages":"424-431"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145188234","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":"Determination of the Relationship Between Self-Efficacy and Anxiety Levels on Breastfeeding Success in the NICU.","authors":"Demet Yalcın Ozsoylu, Nurten Ozen, Fusun Terzioglu","doi":"10.1097/ANC.0000000000001297","DOIUrl":"10.1097/ANC.0000000000001297","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Maternal anxiety and self-efficacy may significantly impact breastfeeding success. Understanding the relationship between these psychological factors and breastfeeding outcomes can help develop targeted interventions to support mothers in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).</p><p><strong>Purpose: </strong>This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between breastfeeding self-efficacy and anxiety levels on the success of breastfeeding among mothers with infants staying in the NICU.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted in a private hospital from May 2018 to February 2019 in Turkey. The inclusion criteria for the study were as follows: mothers over 18 years old who had a live birth at 34 weeks or above without any breastfeeding hindrances such as cleft lip or palate and infants who were not discharged within the first 24 hours after birth, had no congenital anomalies, and did not undergo any surgical procedures. Data were collected with the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale and the State-Trait and Anxiety Inventory. LATCH Breastfeeding Assessment Tool was used as a measure of breastfeeding success.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The study involved 83 mothers and 83 infants. Breastfeeding self-efficacy had a statistically significant relationship on maternal success in terms of breastfeeding the infant for the first time ( P < .001) and 24 hours after the initial feeding ( P < .001). However, state and trait anxiety had no statistically significant effect on breastfeeding success ( P > .05).</p><p><strong>Implications for practice and research: </strong>Interventions should be planned to increase maternal feelings of breastfeeding self-efficacy to support breastfeeding by the hospital staff to ensure success in the immediate postnatal period.</p>","PeriodicalId":520547,"journal":{"name":"Advances in neonatal care : official journal of the National Association of Neonatal Nurses","volume":" ","pages":"480-486"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145042947","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":"Effectiveness of Maternal Voice and Lullabies on Pain and Physiological Parameters in Preterm Infants During Aspiration: A Randomized Controlled Study.","authors":"Esra Nur Kocaaslan Mutlu, Refiye Zafer Dinçkol","doi":"10.1097/ANC.0000000000001295","DOIUrl":"10.1097/ANC.0000000000001295","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Painful procedures like oropharyngeal aspiration often disrupt preterm infants' physiological stability in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). Although maternal voice and lullabies are safe non-pharmacological options for pain relief, their effectiveness remains uncertain.</p><p><strong>Purpose: </strong>This study examined the effects of maternal voice and lullabies on pain and physiological parameters in preterm infants during oropharyngeal aspiration procedures in the NICU.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This randomized controlled trial included 66 preterm infants (28-36 weeks gestation) randomly assigned to maternal voice (n = 22), lullaby (n = 22), or control (n = 22) groups. Intervention groups received a recording of maternal voice or lullaby for 15 minutes before, during, and 15 minutes after aspiration. The control group received no auditory stimulation. Pain was assessed using the Neonatal Infant Pain Scale, and heart rate, oxygen saturation, and respiration were recorded at 3 time points. Data analysis included chi-square and Kruskal-Wallis tests with Bonferroni-adjusted Mann-Whitney U tests for post-hoc comparisons ( P < .05).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The maternal voice group exhibited significantly lower pain levels during and after the procedure than other groups ( P < .001). Both intervention groups showed improved physiological parameters ( P < .05), with maternal voice showing the most effective outcomes ( P < .05).</p><p><strong>Implications for practice and research: </strong>Maternal voice and lullabies may effectively reduce pain and enhance physiological stability in preterm infants during aspiration. Integrating maternal voice into NICU care may enhance pain management and physiological stability in preterm infants. Future research should explore long-term effects, the role of maternal voice characteristics, and the impact of ambient NICU noise levels on intervention effectiveness.</p>","PeriodicalId":520547,"journal":{"name":"Advances in neonatal care : official journal of the National Association of Neonatal Nurses","volume":" ","pages":"413-423"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144995022","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":"Comparison of Pulmonary Maturation Differences Among Black and White Infants: A Scoping Review.","authors":"Desi Michele Newberry, Nicole Brady, Nikki Briskin, Brittany Graham, Hannah Leonard, Leila Ledbetter, Tracey Robertson Bell","doi":"10.1097/ANC.0000000000001275","DOIUrl":"10.1097/ANC.0000000000001275","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Bias exists that infants of color have better outcomes in the neonatal intensive care unit compared to White infants. These presumptions stem from perceived differences in pulmonary maturation between Black and White infants.</p><p><strong>Purpose: </strong>To compare the incidence of respiratory morbidity in Black and White infants, and to identify if pulmonary maturation differences exist.</p><p><strong>Data sources: </strong>Databases included MEDLINE (Ovid), Embase (Elsevier), and Web of Science (Clarivate).</p><p><strong>Study selection: </strong>All identified studies were uploaded into Covidence. A total of 2124 citations were screened in the abstract phase. Study selection was carried out independently by 2 authors and excluded if did not meet inclusion criteria. Disagreements were resolved by adjudication by third reviewer. Article selection presented by flowchart as per PRISMA guidelines.</p><p><strong>Data extraction: </strong>A citation tracking system was used to identify relevant studies included in the full text review.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Though differences among Black and White infants were present, it was not found that race alone had a causal impact on an infant's pulmonary maturation, but rather that these differences in outcomes could be related to health disparities impacted by race.</p><p><strong>Implications for practice and research: </strong>As providers driving care and making treatment decisions for neonatal patients, we must be aware of our implicit biases regarding neonatal lung development. Additional research is essential to drive policy change and ensure equitable healthcare and reduce infant mortality and morbidity.</p>","PeriodicalId":520547,"journal":{"name":"Advances in neonatal care : official journal of the National Association of Neonatal Nurses","volume":" ","pages":"329-336"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144700902","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":"Efficacy of Peer Support on Caregiver Well-Being and Patient Outcomes in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: A Systematic Review.","authors":"Sarah Wegman, Peter Juviler, Benjamin Coffey, Jan Schriefer, Derek Wakeman","doi":"10.1097/ANC.0000000000001273","DOIUrl":"10.1097/ANC.0000000000001273","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Caregivers of infants staying in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) experience a variety of stressors, and peer support programs have been used to formally connect newer NICU caregivers with experienced NICU caregivers to provide education and emotional support.</p><p><strong>Purpose: </strong>This systematic review will synthesize the efficacy of peer support programs for caregivers after infants' NICU stays.</p><p><strong>Data sources: </strong>Relevant articles were retrieved from PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science.</p><p><strong>Study selection: </strong>Studies employing a randomized, quasi-experimental, observational, or qualitative study design and studying caregiver outcomes after participation in a peer mentorship program were considered. Articles included at least 3 patients who stayed in a NICU. Out of 3594 articles originally identified, 7 articles met all inclusion criteria.</p><p><strong>Data extraction: </strong>Articles' level of evidence and MINORS criteria were assessed and were reviewed by at least 2 authors; the senior author adjudicated any discrepancies.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>All considered NICU peer support programs found improvements in caregiver stress/anxiety and depression/anger. Four studies described improvements in caregiver-perceived competency and interactions with infants. Two studies additionally reported increased caregiver hopefulness and confidence. Three studies explicitly stated that participants were satisfied with the peer support program. One randomized controlled trial did not find any benefit to peer support participants relative to controls. No studies reported worsening of caregiver outcomes.</p><p><strong>Implications for practice and research: </strong>This systematic review suggests that peer support has the potential to improve caregiver well-being and self-efficacy after NICU admission, though more rigorous study is needed.</p>","PeriodicalId":520547,"journal":{"name":"Advances in neonatal care : official journal of the National Association of Neonatal Nurses","volume":" ","pages":"346-352"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144210699","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}