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Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
19:15

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale

Published on: August 25, 2014

Assessment of life after prematurity in 9- to 10- year-old children

Michelle M Kelly1

  • 1Michelle M. Kelly PhD, RN, CRNP is a Clinical Assistant Professor at Villanova University, College of Nursing, Villanova, PA. She is Pediatric and Neonatal Nurse Practitioner. She can be reached via e-mail at michelle.m.kelly@villanova.edu.

MCN. the American Journal of Maternal Child Nursing
|October 1, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Children born prematurely experience more special healthcare needs and altered health-related quality of life (HRQOL) compared to those born at term. Understanding their health status is critical for improved maternal-child nursing care and support.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Health
  • Quality of Life Research
  • Neonatal Outcomes

Background:

  • Premature birth remains a significant global health concern.
  • Children born prematurely often face long-term health challenges.
  • Assessing health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and special healthcare needs is crucial for this population.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the prevalence of special healthcare needs and alterations in HRQOL between children born prematurely and those born at term.
  • To provide insights for maternal-child nurses regarding the health status of prematurely born children.

Main Methods:

  • A descriptive comparative study design was employed.
  • 96 children (47 preterm, 49 term), aged 8-12 years, participated.
  • Validated instruments including the PedsQL 4.0 and the Children with Special Health Care Needs (CSHCN) Screener were used for self-report and parent-proxy assessments.

Main Results:

  • Over half of the evaluated premature children exhibited special healthcare needs.
  • Significant differences in mean HRQOL scores were observed between preterm and term-born children.
  • Parental proxy-reports indicated higher HRQOL scores than children's self-reports in both groups.

Conclusions:

  • The findings underscore the critical need for maternal-child nurses to understand the current health status of prematurely born children.
  • Advocacy and coordinated care are essential to enhance healthcare for families of children born prematurely.
  • Future nursing research should prioritize the assessment of special healthcare needs and HRQOL in this vulnerable group.
Abstract

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