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Rectal Stimulation in Premature and Full-Term Newborns: A Narrative Review
Silvia Rossi1, Simona Calza1, Chiara De Rosa1
1Health Professional Direction, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Largo G. Gaslini 5, 16100 Genoa, Italy.
Children (Basel, Switzerland)
|December 30, 2025
Summary
Rectal stimulation is used for newborns to aid evacuation and relieve gas colic, but current nursing practice lacks clear safety guidelines. Further research is needed to establish evidence-based protocols for this common neonatal care technique.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Nursing
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Evidence-Based Practice
Background:
- Rectal stimulation is a common nursing practice for neonatal bowel evacuation and colic relief.
- This technique is also taught to caregivers for home use.
- Currently, there are no established national or international guidelines for its safe implementation or clinical indications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize existing evidence on the nursing practice of rectal stimulation in preterm and full-term newborns.
- To identify gaps in current knowledge regarding the safe and effective use of rectal stimulation.
Main Methods:
- A narrative literature review was conducted.
- Searches were performed across six databases with manual bibliography reviews.
- Studies were screened for inclusion without date limitations.
Main Results:
- Sixty-two articles were initially retrieved, with only two meeting inclusion criteria.
- Both included studies focused on rectal stimulation in preterm newborns, examining feeding tolerance and bowel habits.
- The available evidence is insufficient to provide clear guidance for nursing practice.
Conclusions:
- Nurses currently practice and teach rectal stimulation without standardized safety guidelines.
- There is a critical need for scientific studies to inform nursing practice and improve neonatal care quality.
- Significant evidence gaps exist for rectal stimulation in full-term newborns and community settings.
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