Nurses' support for feeding of low-birth-weight infants in NICU follow-up

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K19177
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 58070:Lifelong developmental nursing-related
• Research Institution: Yokohama City University
• Principal Investigator: FUJITSUKA Maki 横浜市立大学, 医学研究科, 客員研究員 (80805888)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: NICU / 低出生体重児 / 早産児 / 離乳期 / NICUフォローアップ外来

Outline of Final Research Achievements

(1) We conducted a literature review of focusing on nurse's support in NICU follow-up outpatient clinic. Nurses provided dietary and childcare guidance, but the specific content and methods of support were unknown.
(2) Fieldwork was conducted on actual support situations. It was found that professionals shared information with parents, comprehensively understood the child, and shared how to weaning. In addition, they respected parents' decision by not giving one-sided instructions to parents about troubles, but by exploring their concerns and modifying the methods to make them feel relieved.

Free Research Field

小児看護学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究では、NICUフォローアップ外来における低出生体重児の授乳・離乳に関する看護師の支援を検討することを目的に、支援に関する文献検討とフィールドワークを行った。その結果、看護師によるFamily-Centered Careの概念に基づく支援の示唆が得られた。しかし、多職種によって子どもを包括的に捉える難しさが示唆され、様々な支援場面で活用できるスクリーニング方法を検討する必要がある。また、親とのパートナーシップを構築する上で、今後は離乳期における親の経験の明確化も必要だと考える。