Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 12, 2026
Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
Published on: August 25, 2014
Immunization Status of NICU Graduates at a Tertiary Care Children's Hospital
Janelle L B Macintosh1, Leslie J Huggins, Lacey M Eden
1College of Nursing, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah.
Insights
Most neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) graduates are not fully immunized by discharge. Age at discharge and steroid use were key factors influencing infant immunization status.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Neonatology
- Public Health
Background:
- Premature birth impacts approximately 500,000 US infants annually.
- Immunizing infants within neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) establishes a precedent for ongoing vaccinations.
- Assessing immunization rates in NICU graduates is crucial for long-term infant health outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- Determine current immunization rates among NICU graduates aged 60 days or older at discharge.
- Identify variables associated with immunization status in this vulnerable population.
- Inform strategies to improve vaccination coverage for NICU alumni.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of medical records from a single tertiary children's hospital.
- Descriptive pilot study design.
- Statistical analysis including t tests and logistic regression to examine relationships between variables and immunization status.
Main Results:
- 74.4% of NICU graduates (n=43) discharged at 60 days or older were fully immunized per American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) guidelines.
- Infant age at discharge was a significant predictor of achieving full immunization.
- Steroid use emerged as a significant predictor for non-immunization.
Conclusions:
- Prioritizing immunization for NICU graduates is essential for their future health.
- Implementing hospital policies to ensure timely immunizations for NICU graduates is recommended for nursing staff.
- Further research should explore diverse NICU settings and investigate parental/provider knowledge barriers to vaccination.
Background:
Approximately 500,000 infants are born prematurely each year in the United States. Immunization of infants in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) set a precedence for future immunizations.
Purposes:
The objectives of this study were to determine the current rates of immunization and identify variables associated with immunizations of NICU graduates who were aged 60 days or older at time of discharge.
Methods:
This descriptive pilot study utilized retrospective paper medical record review in one tertiary children's hospital. The relationships between immunization status and study variables were examined using t tests and logistic regression.
Results:
Of 43 infants discharged at least 60 days of age or older from the NICU, 74.4% were fully immunized in accordance with American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommendations. Significant predictors were age at discharge for immunization and steroid use for nonimmunization.
Implications For Practice:
Immunization needs to be a priority in order to give NICU infants every advantage regarding their future health status. Nurses need to implement hospital policies ensuring immunizations of NICU graduates.
Implications For Research:
Future studies should focus on samples from diverse hospitals and levels of NICUs. Qualitative studies exploring and describing parent and provider knowledge of current AAP guidelines will strengthen our understanding of potential barriers to immunization.
Related Concept Videos
01:22Development of Immunocompetence
The initial cells that migrate from the fetal thymus settle within the skin and epithelial tissues lining the mouth, digestive tract, and in females, the uterus and vagina. These cells, including skin-based dendritic cells, serve as antigen-presenting cells, playing a key role in T cell activation.
Subsequent T...
01:51Vaccinations
01:30Specialized Care Centers and Settings-II
Rural health centers are specialized care facilities in remote locations with very few medical personnel. The primary care providers who run the centers are mostly Registered Nurse Practitioners. Here, emergency treatment is provided to critically ill or injured patients before they are transferred to the closest hospital. Fortunately, due to advancement in technology, many rural healthcare facilities and professionals have easy access to diagnostic and treatment...
01:26Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion
01:22Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...
01:25Transmission-based Precautions II: Airborne and Protective Environment
Airborne precautions:
Use airborne precautions when treating patients known or suspected to have diseases that spread through the air—for example, tuberculosis or measles. These organisms are present in smaller droplets expelled by an infected person and...