Low birth weight and preterm infants nursing care: An updated review

https://doi.org/10.53730/ijhs.v7nS1.15387

Authors

  • Abdulrhman Zaher Halawani KSA, National Guard Health Affairs
  • Mohammed Ali Alharbi KSA, National Guard Health Affairs
  • Yousef Yahya Alkhuraym KSA, National Guard Health Affairs
  • Ahmad Hassan Alharthi KSA, National Guard Health Affairs
  • Salem Faraj M Alqahtani KSA, National Guard Health Affairs
  • Mana Muhammad Abdullah Al-Qahtani KSA, National Guard Health Affairs
  • Salman Ghazi Al-Faridi KSA, National Guard Health Affairs
  • Sultan Obaid Salem Alharbi KSA, National Guard Health Affairs
  • Nahar Khalif Al-Khaldi KSA, National Guard Health Affairs
  • Manal Saad Aied Alotaibi KSA, National Guard Health Affairs
  • Hamad Huran F Alanazi KSA, National Guard Health Affairs
  • Ali Mohammed S Alqarni KSA, National Guard Health Affairs
  • Mesfer Hamed M Almalki KSA, National Guard Health Affairs
  • Abdullah Abdulqader H Alamri KSA, National Guard Health Affairs
  • Abdulaziz Saad Alghamd KSA, National Guard Health Affairs

Keywords:

Low birth weight, preterm infants, nursing care, family-integrated care, skin barrier management, temperature regulation, pain management, neonatal care

Abstract

Background: Low birth weight (LBW) and preterm infants face significant challenges due to their underdeveloped systems. These fragile infants require specialized nursing care to optimize their outcomes, yet the literature lacks high-quality, evidence-based guidelines for their management. This review highlights the nursing interventions crucial for supporting extremely low gestational age infants, emphasizing family-integrated care (FICare) and optimal environmental management. Aim: The purpose of this review is to synthesize current evidence and provide updated recommendations for nursing care in LBW and preterm infants, focusing on family involvement, skin barrier management, temperature regulation, and minimizing pain and stress. Methods: This mini-review synthesizes existing literature on the nursing management of preterm and LBW infants. It includes studies on family-integrated care, skin barrier function, heat and humidity management, pain minimization, and routine caregiving interventions. Key themes were identified, and evidence supporting clinical practices was examined to provide updated care recommendations. Results: Family-integrated care (FICare) was found to significantly improve infant outcomes by enhancing parental involvement, promoting early skin-to-skin contact, and fostering shared decision-making. Skin barrier management, including minimizing insensible water loss (IWL) through environmental control such as incubator humidification, was shown to be critical for reducing fluid loss and supporting skin integrity. 

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References

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Published

15-01-2023

How to Cite

Halawani, A. Z., Alharbi, M. A., Alkhuraym, Y. Y., Alharthi, A. H., Alqahtani, S. F. M., Al-Qahtani, M. M. A., Al-Faridi, S. G., Alharbi, S. O. S., Al-Khaldi, N. K., Alotaibi, M. S. A., Alanazi, H. H. F., Alqarni, A. M. S., Almalki, M. H. M., Alamri, A. A. H., & Alghamd, A. S. (2023). Low birth weight and preterm infants nursing care: An updated review. International Journal of Health Sciences, 7(S1), 3779–3794. https://doi.org/10.53730/ijhs.v7nS1.15387

Issue

Vol. 7 No. S1 (2023)

Section

Peer Review Articles
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