Effective Communication in a Neurodevelopmental NICU

Background and Aim : As many as 10 to 15% of infants require treatment in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The management of premature infants has advanced over the past decades to the point that infants born as early as 23 weeks gestation now have a chance of survival due to a multitude of technologic advances. This progress comes with great costs as premature infants are in the NICU for many weeks or months, and many have impaired short and long-term outcomes.Although physical and motor disorders may be more noticeable, preterm and medically fragile infants are also at greater risk for cognitive, social–emotional, mental health, behavioral, speech-language, and regulatory difficulties well into school age and beyond. Educational attainment of young adults that began as a very low birth weight (VLBW) infant, is also poorer than term-born adults with fewer completing higher education and a greater proportion opting to undertake vocational education or training. There is also evidence of an increased risk for psychiatric disorders in adulthood, including ASD, ADHD, and mood disorders. Medical and technological advances in neonatology have prompted the initiation and expansion of developmentally supportive services for newborns and have incorporated rehabilitation professionals into the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) multidisciplinary team. Availability of neuroscientific therapists, NIDCAP certified NICU nursing, the roles of neurohabilitation professionals, and models of service delivery vary from hospital to hospital based on philosophy, resources, and other considerations. To provide quality care for infants and families, cohesive team dynamics are required including professional competence, mutual respect, accountability, effective communication, and collaboration. This article highlights the contribution of each member of the NICU team. The dynamics of team collaboration are presented with the goal of improving outcomes of infants and families.Methods : review articlesResults : There are some multiple views about neurodevelopmental outcome of newborn infants hospitalized in NICU. Recently, NICU Therapy is under consideration.Modality of NICU Therapy and competence of neurodevelopmental workers are under dispute. An effective communication can be the best solution.Conclusion : We need a multi disciplinary neurodevelopmental view in NICU to promote neurological outcome of hospitalized newborn.

کلیدواژه ها:

NICU ، Neurodevelopmental ، Communication ، NIDCAP ، Neonatology ، Neurohabilitation