Sibling visitation: research implications for pediatric and neonatal patients

Little research has been published addressing the effects of sibling visitation on the nonhospitalized sibling. This integrative review synthesizes the studies and has been summarized to include findings, gaps, and limitations. The majority of research regarding the benefits of sibling visitation has come from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). This summary, however, includes one study set in the NICU, one set in an adult ICU, two on a postpartum floor, and one based on siblings of pediatric patients. Findings indicate that children who visited their sibling exhibited improved activity levels, spoke more about their siblings, and did not increase the frequency of infectious signs and symptoms in the newborn siblings. Implications for research utilization include the identified benefits and minimal risks of sibling visitation. Nurses have a vital role initiating and implementing policies that incorporate more liberal sibling visitation.