Challenges in providing developmentally supportive care: a case presentation

Gretchen Lawhon1

  • 1NIDCAP Federation International, Inc., Toledo, OH, USA. premieg@aol.com

A developmentally supportive family-centered approach to care is extremely valuable for even the most critically ill infant. This case presentation of Martha, a severely small for gestational age twin born at 30 weeks gestation, highlights three major areas in which clinical care is enhanced through the integration of neurobehavioral observation: self-regulation, comfort, and family advocacy. The ethical principles of autonomy, beneficence, and integrity were relied upon to ensure her humane care.

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