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Updated: Jul 21, 2026
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Electrophysiological Measurements and Analysis of Nociception in Human Infants
Published on: December 20, 2011
Validation of infant behavior identified by neonatal nurses
Nursing Research
|May 1, 1986
Summary
Nurses can reliably identify newborns with unusual behavior. These "suspect" infants performed significantly lower on the Brazelton Neonatal Behavior Assessment Scale compared to healthy controls, indicating a need for further infant assessment.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Behavior
- Clinical Nursing Practice
- Infant Assessment
Background:
- Nurses frequently observe subtle behavioral differences in newborns.
- Early identification of potential infant developmental issues is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if newborns identified by nurses as exhibiting unusual behavior differ significantly from normal newborns.
- To validate nurses' clinical judgment in identifying at-risk infants.
Main Methods:
- Comparison of "suspect" infants (identified by nurses) with matched "normal" controls.
- Utilized the Brazelton Neonatal Behavior Assessment Scale (NBAS) for objective infant behavior evaluation.
Main Results:
- Suspect infants scored significantly lower on the NBAS compared to controls.
- No single dysfunction was identified across all suspect infants.
- Nurses accurately identified suspect infant behavior but not specific NBAS dimensions.
Conclusions:
- Nurses are reliable in flagging infants needing further assessment.
- Nurses' empirical knowledge of infant behavior is measurable and valuable.
- Further research is needed to understand the long-term risks for infants with suspicious behavior.
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