CoNP Resources
Neonatal Nursing Publications
Explore a wide range of resources, tools, and information designed to enhance the well-being of newborns, mothers, and their families.
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A comprehensive model for scaling up care for small and/or sick newborns at district level-based on country experiences presented at a WHO-UNICEF expert consultation.
Current trends indicate that 63 countries are not on track to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) target of a neonatal mortality rate ≤12 per 1000 live births, with 55 needing to double the annual rate of decline in neonatal mortality to do so [1].
By WHO-UNICEF expert consultation. J Glob Health 2023;11:03023 (Open Access)
Resource Link: https://jogh.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/jogh-13-03023.pdf
An Evolving Approach to Newborn Care
Between 1990 and 2017, the global under-5 mortality rate declined by 58% and the neonatal mortality rate by 51%, [1] but both measures remain well above the Sustainable Development Goal targets for 2030. [2] In many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), major challenges persist, hindering the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 3.2, in particular, of reducing preventable deaths of newborns to at least 12 deaths per 1,000 live births by the year 2030.[2]
By Narayanan, I., Litch, J. A., Srinivas, G. L., Onwona-Agyeman, K., Abdul-Mumin, A., Ramasethu, J. (Open Access)
Resource Link: https://www.ghspjournal.org/content/ghsp/11/1/e2200099.full.pdf
In this Series paper, we examine how mother and baby attributes at the individual level interact with breastfeeding determinants at other levels, how these interactions drive breastfeeding outcomes, and what policies and interventions are necessary to achieve optimal breastfeeding.
By Perez-Escamilla, R., Tomori, Cl, Hernandez-Cordero, S, Baker, P., Barros, A. J. D., Begin, F. etal (Open Access)
Resource Link: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(22)01932-8/fulltext
Congenital disorders are also known as congenital abnormalities, congenital malformations or birth defects. They can be defined as structural or functional anomalies (for example, metabolic disorders) that occur during intrauterine life and can be identified prenatally, at birth, or sometimes may only be detected later in infancy, such as hearing defects. Broadly, congenital refers to the existence at or before birth.
By World Health Organization
Resource Link: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/birth-defects
To implement the immediate Kangaroo mother care (iKMC) intervention in the previous multicentre, open-label, randomised controlled trial, the mother or a surrogate caregiver and neonate needed to be together continuously, which led to the concept of the Mother–Newborn Care Unit (MNCU). Health-care providers and administrators were concerned of the potential increase in infections caused by the continuous presence of mothers or surrogates in the MNCU. We aimed to assess the incidence of neonatal sepsis in sub-groups and the bacterial profile among intervention and control neonates in the study population.
By Arya, S., Chhabra, S., Singhal, R., Kumari, A., Wadhwa, N., Anand, P. et al. (Open Access)
Resource Link: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/eclinm/article/PIIS2589-5370(23)00183-9/fulltext#%20
Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) is an evidencebased intervention focused on premature and low-birthweight (LBW) infants. In different healthcare systems, outpatient KMC programmes (KMCPs) have been pioneers in the follow-up of these high-risk newborns. Here, we describe an overview analysis performed in an unprecedented data set comprising Colombian infants and spanning 28 years.
By Charpak, N., and Montealegre-Pomar, A. (Open Access)
Resource Link: https://gh.bmj.com/content/bmjgh/8/5/e011192.full.pdf
The aim is to investigate the safety of skin-to-skin contact initiated immediately after birth on cardiorespiratory parameters in unstable low birth weight infants.
By Linner, A., Westreup, B., Rettedal, S., Kawaza, K., Naburi, H., Newton, S., et al. (Open Access)
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) through funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and in collaboration with the World Health Organization, other implementing organizations and several national professional societies, is excited to showcase a series of webinars aimed at promoting new evidence on immediate Kangaroo Mother Care (iKMC), supporting a paradigm shift to zero separation between mothers and their newborn babies with a goal to improve quality of care and outcomes for small and sick newborns.
By American Academy of Pediatrics
Resource Link: https://www.aap.org/en/aap-global/immediate-kangaroo-mother-care-ikmc/
Due to the progress in neonatology, in particular, in the past three decades, the mortality rate among patients of intensive care units has decreased. However, this is connected not only with newborns needing to stay longer in the unit, but also with the exposure of newborns to many painful procedures and stresses. Lack of or insufficient pain prevention has a negative impact on the sensory or locomotor development of newborns. Despite the presence of guidelines based on scientific evidence, the use of pharmacological and non-pharmacological pain-management methods in newborns is still insufficient.
By Popowicz, H., Kwiecien-Jagus, K., Medrzycka-Dabrowska, W., Kopec, M., Dyk, D. (Open Access)
Resource Link: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/19/12075
Connective tissue disorders present with widespread manifestations involving the skin, joints, ligaments, blood vessels and other organ systems and can be associated with significant disability and life threatening complications. Important disorders in this group include cutis laxa, wrinkly skin syndrome and geroderma osteodysplasticum. This article reports on a newborn baby with geroderma steodysplasticum to raise awareness of this rare condition and the challenges faced by affected children and their families
By Manjunatha, C. M., Abourahma, A., Ibhanesebhor, S. E., Mathews, A. Z.
Resource Link: https://www.infantjournal.co.uk/pdf/inf_099_7220.pdf
This article reports on a case of a preterm baby who, post-routine insertion of a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC), showed an unusual catheter route and tip placement revealing an unsuspected cardiac variant of persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC). We discuss the condition, our management and its effects on vascular access in this unusual case.
By Van Rens, M., Hugill, K., El Fakharany, A. E. F., Garcia, K. L.
Resource Link: https://www.infantjournal.co.uk/pdf/inf_099_7222.pdf
Oral mass in a newborn is rare but often quite daunting, leading to anxiety in parents. Very few hospitals have dental or maxillofacial facilities on site and this may lead to delayed diagnosis and intervention. A thorough clinical examination and knowledge of the oral mass is essential for precise diagnosis, management and parental reassurance. In this review article, we present a newborn baby with congenital epulis – an oral mass arising from the alveolar ridge. We also summarise the differential diagnoses based on location and consistency of the oral masses in this age group.
By Pahuja, A., James, H., D’Costa, W., Al-Jaddir, G., Kaur, D.
Resource Link: https://www.infantjournal.co.uk/pdf/inf_099_7223.pdf
It is well known that the mental health of both parents, especially in the early post-partum period, can have a significant negative impact on the psychological wellbeing of an infant. There is growing evidence that fathers can experience trauma, potentially resulting in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following the complicated delivery of their child. Currently there is little research that has been conducted on the prevalence of PTSD in these fathers, or the need for them to be treated accordingly. An extensive literature review was conducted to assess the current status of the research in this field; the clinical implications of these findings are discussed.
By Thomas, B., Anderton, C. J.
Resource Link: https://www.infantjournal.co.uk/pdf/inf_099_7224.pdf
Neonatal jaundice is one of the most common problems in neonates. Effective treatment of jaundice requires therapeutic intervention with high quality phototherapy. Over recent years, several studies reported fiberoptic phototherapy to be less effective than conventional phototherapy in term neonates. Our study aimed to compare the effectiveness of fiberoptic phototherapy with a larger illuminated area and higher irradiance to conventional phototherapy methods.
By Joel, H. N., Mchaile, D. N., Philemon, R. N., Mbwasi, R. M., & Msuya, L.
Resource Link: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-020-02458-2
Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia (NNH) is the most common clinical sign seen in neonatal practice. Kangaroo mother care (KMC), a new strategy has been tried for the management of hyperbilirubinemia.
By Garg, B. D., Bansal, A., & Kabra, N. S.
Resource Link: https://www.healthynewbornnetwork.org/hnn-content/uploads/Darlow_Brazil-Nurses.pdf
The purpose of this study is to develop nursing standard guidelines for nurses in a neonatal intensive care unit. The Delphi method was used in this study to elicit expert consensus. Thirteen experts who were nurses and pediatric adolescent specialists working in the neonatal intensive care unit participated in the study. In this study, 178 items were developed based on 5 nursing practice standards and 7 standards of professional practice. An additional 10 items were included based on observation in the neonatal intensive care unit.
By Lee H., Kim, D., Han, J. (Open Access)
Resource Link: https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/8/3/320
Admission rates to the NICU and numbers of NICU patient-days decreased over the study period without an increase in readmissions or mortality. The observed decrease was associated with the high GA and BW newborn population. How much of this decrease is attributable to intercurrent health care systemwide quality improvement initiatives would require further investigation. The remaining unexplained variation suggests that further changes are also possible.
By Braun, D., Braun, E., Chiu, V. et al
Resource Link: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/article-abstract/2767258
A breakthrough discovery 60 years ago by Cremer et al. has since changed the way we treat infants with hyperbilirubinemia and saved the lives of millions from death and disabilities. “Photobiology” has evolved by inquiry of diverse light sources: fluorescent tubes (wavelength range of 400–520 nm; halogen spotlights that emit circular footprints of light; fiberoptic pads/blankets (mostly, 400–550 nm range) that can be placed in direct contact with skin; and the current narrow-band blue light-emitting diode (LED) light (450–47
By Hansen Thor, W. R., Jeffrey, M. M., Finn, E., Vreman, H. J., Stevenson, D. K., Wong, R. J., & Bhutani, V. K.
Resource Link: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41372-019-0439-1
Overall, this systematic review revealed complex racial and/or ethnic disparities in structure, process, and outcome measures, most often disadvantaging infants of color, especially African American infants. There are some exceptions to this pattern and each area merits its own analysis and discussion.
By Sigurdson, K., Mitchell, B., Liu, J., Morton, C., Gould, J. B.. Lee, H. C. et al.
Resource Link:https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/144/2/e20183114/76884/Racial-Ethnic-Disparities-in-Neonatal-Intensive
Kernicterus resulting from severe neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia is a leading cause of preventable deaths and disabilities in low-income and middle-income countries, partly because high-quality intensive phototherapy is unavailable. Previously, we showed that filtered-sunlight phototherapy (FSPT) was efficacious and safe for treatment of mild-to-moderate neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia. We aimed to extend these studies to infants with moderate-to-severe hyperbilirubinaemia
By Tina M Slusher, Hendrik J Vreman, Ann M Brearley, Yvonne E Vaucher, Ronald J Wong, David K Stevenson, Olumide T Adeleke, Ifelayo P Ojo,
Grace Edowhorhu, Troy C Lund, Daniel A Gbadero (Open Access)
Resource Link: https://www.healthynewbornnetwork.org/hnn-content/uploads/Darlow_Brazil-Nurses.pdf
In this observational study, we calculated the 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, and 90th percentiles of risk-adjusted neonatal intensive care unit rates for death and serious morbidities from 2005 to 2014 at US Vermont Oxford Network member neonatal intensive care units.
By Horbar, J. D., Edwards, E. M., Greenberg, M. S. et al
Resource Link: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/article-abstract/2595570
In some neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), conventional overhead phototherapy is the only phototherapy available, whereas others use fibreoptic blankets only. Several NICUs use both treatments interchangeably.
By Føreland, A.M.; Rosenberg, L:; Johannessen, B.
Resource Link: Journal of Neonatal Nursing. ISSN: 1355-1841. 22 (3). s 108 - 114. doi:10.1016/j.jnn.2016.01.001.
Newborn babies in need of critical medical attention are normally admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). These infants tend to be preterm, have low birth weight, and/or have serious medical conditions. Neonatal survival varies, but progress in perinatal and neonatal care has notably diminished mortality rates. In this selected review, we examine and compare the NICU mortality rates and etiologies of death in different countries.
By Chow, S., Chow, R., Popovic, M., Lam, M., Popovic, M., Merrick, J., et al
Resource Link: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2015.00225/full
Increased survival of preterm infants in developing countries has often been accompanied by increased morbidity. A previous study found rates of severe retinopathy of prematurity varied widely between different neonatal units in Rio de Janeiro. Nurses have a key role in the care of high-risk infants but often do not have access to ongoing education programmes. We set out to design a quality improvement project that would provide nurses with the training and tools to decrease neonatal mortality and morbidity.
By Darlow, B. A., Zin, A. A., Beecroft, G., Moreira, M. EL., Gilbert, C. E. (Open Access)
Resource Link: https://www.healthynewbornnetwork.org/hnn-content/uploads/Darlow_Brazil-Nurses.pdf