• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.12
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• pp.1301-1307
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• 2006

Purpose : Hearing loss is one of the most common birth defects, and early detection and intervention positively impact language/speech and cognitive development. It has been reported that NICU graduates have a high incidence of hearing loss. So we investigated the incidence, risk factors and clinical outcome of hearing loss in NICU graduates. Methods : This study involved neonatal auditory brainstem response (ABR) testing of newborn infants who graduated from the NICU of Kyungpook National University Hospital during a 3-year period (between July 2002 and June 2005) and subsequent follow-up of these infants. Results : ABR evaluations were performed on 474 infants. Of these infants, 64 showed abnormal ABR (13.5 percent). Of 128 ears from these 64 infants, two ears (1.6 percent) and 10 ears (7.8 percent) were classified as severe and profound hearing loss, respectively. The infants with abnormal ABR had higher incidence of prematurity, low birth weight, very low birth weight, neonatal asphyxia, cranio-facial malformation and amikacin treatment over 15 days (P<0.05). In infants with hyperbilirubinemia, the peak level of serum bilirubin, duration of phototherapy and exchange transfusion were not associated with the higher incidence of hearing loss. Follow-up ABR evaluation was performed on 15 infants with abnormal ABR at $8.8{\pm}4.4months$. In follow-up ABR, 80.0% showed improvement or normalization of threshold sensitivity. Conclusion : NICU graduates exhibit high risk for hearing loss. Systemic and effective hearing assessment program is needed for these high risk infants.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.45 no.12
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• pp.1503-1511
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• 2002

Purpose : Although the short- and long-term outcomes of low birth weight(LBW) neonatal intensive care unit(NICU) survivors have been extensively studied, much less information is available for normal birth weight(NBW) infants(greater than 2,500 gm) who require NICU care. Methods : We retrospectively examined the neonatal hospitalizations and one year health status of 302 NBW and 131 LBW admissions to our NICU. Information on the neonatal hospitalization was obtained from a review of medical records. Postdischarge health status was collected by using telephone surveys and medical records. Results : After initial discharge, 21.2% of the NBW infants and 23% of the LBW infants required rehospitalization during the first year of life and there was no significant difference between the two groups. The reasons for rehospitalization of the NBW infants included respiratory disorders (32.1%), G-I problems(26.2%), genitourinary problems(11.9%), surgery(10.7%), cardiac problems(7.1%), and congenital/developmental problems(1.2%). For the LBW infants, the order of frequency was the same, with the percentages slightly different. Neonatal risk factors related to the rehospitalization of the NBW infants included mechanical ventilation, duration of mechanical ventilation, and congenital anomaly. But no positive significant correlation of neonatal risk factors with rehospitalization of LBW infants was found. Conclusion : Low and normal birthweight NICU survivors were rehospitalized at similar rates. The most common cause of rehospitalization was respiratory problems. Neonatal risk factors related to rehospitalization of NBW infants were mechanical ventilation, duration of mechanical ventilation, and congenital anomaly. However, no positive significant correlation of neonatal risk factors with rehospitalization of LBW infants was found. The data suggests that NBW infant survivors, as well as LBW infant NICU survivors, require close follow up.

• Child Health Nursing Research
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.76-84
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• 2013

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe breastfeeding knowledge, attitude and nursing practice of neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) nurses. Methods: Survey methodology using a self administered questionnaire was employed as the research design. A total of 153 questionnaires from 7 university hospital NICUs in Seoul, Daejeon, and Daegu were used for data analysis. Results: The percentage of correct answers on the breastfeeding knowledge questions for the NICU nurses was 59.3%. The nurses in NICU reported a somewhat positive attitude to breastfeeding, mean per item $3.70{\pm}0.41$ on a scale of 5 points. Their breastfeeding nursing practice was at a moderate level, mean per item, $3.26{\pm}0.74$. Breastfeeding knowledge had significant correlations with breastfeeding attitude (r=.554, p<.001) and nursing practice (r=.203, p=.002). Also, There was a significant correlation between breastfeeding attitude and nursing practice (r=.243, p=.002). Conclusion: These results suggest that breastfeeding educational programs and strategies for NICU nurses should be developed to increase their breastfeeding knowledge, attitude, and nursing practice.

• Journal of The Korea Institute of Healthcare Architecture
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.7-17
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• 2024

Purpose: This study is to present basic data and standards for calculating the space composition and area required when planning a neonatal intensive care unit. Methods: Review domestic and foreign facility standards and regulations related to the current neonatal intensive care unit, select a regional neonatal intensive care center designated by the Ministry of Health and Welfare as a case hospital, and organize a space program for the construction plan of the neonatal intensive care unit through analysis of characteristics such as facility size and function composition. Results and Implications: The size, facility area, and detailed room composition characteristics of the neonatal intensive care unit in Korea were confirmed, and essential rooms and appropriate areas were derived when planning the construction of the neonatal intensive care unit. Korea's legal facility standards related to neonatal intensive care units are lower than the actual hospital status and overseas standards, and the facility standards of the medical law need to be improved.

• Journal of The Korea Institute of Healthcare Architecture
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.35-44
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• 2024

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to present basic data on installation location, functional connection, and arrangement to be considered when planning a neonatal intensive care unit in a certified tertiary general hospital. Method: Review the facility standards related to the neonatal intensive care unit, such as laws and guidelines, and select a Certified Tertiary General Hospital as a case hospital among the Neonatal Intensive Care Regional Centers designated by the Ministry of Health and Welfare to analyze the placement characteristics of major NICU components such as the location of the NICU installation, the connection of movement between adjacent facilities and functions, and the treatment room and accessory room. Results and Implications: NICU is a facility for critically ill babies among newborns and needs to consider more about infection and patient management compared to adult intensive care units, which not only install close to delivery-related facilities to enable immediate action after childbirth, but also divide the treatment room into open rooms and allow access to the attached rooms through dedicated corridors to minimize movement in the treatment room.

• Child Health Nursing Research
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.407-419
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• 2018

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore and describe the meaning and essence of a mother's experience of hospitalization of her newborn in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Methods: This study employed a qualitative research design. An interview was conducted with a mother whose newborn was hospitalized in the NICU, and the data were analyzed using Giorgi's phenomenological method. Results: Five main themes and 19 formulated meanings were indentified. The 5 themes were 'drowning in pain', 'just look outside the glass door', 'being a pillar', 'a deepening attachment', and 'prepare for nurturing with hope'. Conclusion: The results of this study provided an in-depth understanding of the experience of a mother with a newborn in the NICU. These results can be used in the development of a nursing intervention program that provides psychological and emotional support to the mother and family.

• Child Health Nursing Research
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.518-527
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• 2019

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of an educational intervention by evaluating neonatal emergency airway management knowledge, critical thinking disposition, problem-solving ability, and confidence in clinical performance after developing and operating a simulation-based neonatal emergency airway management education program for nurses in a neonatal intensive care unit. Methods: The participants were 30 nurses in a neonatal intensive care unit. Data were collected from June 6 to 15, 2018 and analyzed using IBM SPSS version 22.0. Results: The results of the pretest and posttest for each educational group showed statistically significant improvements in neonatal emergency airway management knowledge, critical thinking, problem-solving ability, and confidence in clinical performance. Conclusion: The simulation-based neonatal emergency airway management training program was an effective educational program that enhanced neonatal emergency airway management knowledge, critical thinking disposition, problem-solving ability, and confidence in clinical performance among nurses in a neonatal intensive care unit. Therefore, it is suggested that the program described in this study can contribute to improving nursing quality by enhancing the ability of nurses to cope with emergencies in practice. It can also be used for education for new nurses and contribute to the development of nurses' practices.

• Neonatal Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.272-279
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• 2011

Purpose: The incidence of nosocomial infection caused by Gram-negative bacilli (GNB) has increased in neonatal intensive care units (NICU). This study identified the progression of sepsis caused by GNB colonization and analyzed the risk factors associated with using periodic stool culture surveillance. Methods: We included 86 newborns admitted to the NICU, Kosin University Gospel Hospital from October 2007 to May 2008. Three stool specimens were collected right after birth and two more were collected at 2 week intervals. The risk factors related to GNB colonization were established from each medical record and related references. Results: The incidence of colonization by GNB was 22 (25.6%) per 86 neonates but none had culture-proven sepsis. The three most commonly isolated GNB were Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacter cloacae, and Citrobacter freundii. Approximately 89% (32/36) of isolated GNB were susceptible to amikacin. The probability of GNB colonization increased in infants who were fed a small volume during enteral feeding. In contrast, delayed enteral feeding resulted in a decreased probability for GNB colonization. Conclusion: Colonized GNB in the intestine was confirmed by enteric surveillance culture of newborns admitted to the NICU. However, we found no evidence of culture-proven GNB sepsis. As lower feeding volume on the colonization day is a risk factor for GNB colonization, the chance for GNB colonization should be considered when feeding intolerance is present.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.5
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• pp.494-499
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• 2006

Purpose : Acinetobacter baumannii is increasingly recognized as an important cause of nosocomial infection, especially in neonatal intensive care units. But little is known about the clinical significance and hospital epidemiology of Acinetobacter species other than A. baumannii. The objective of this study is to describe the clinical characteristics and epidemiology of septicemia due to Acinetobacter species other than A. baumannii. Methods : We retrospectively reviewed 11 cases of blood culture proven nosocomial infection which occured in our neonatal intensive care unit from $4^{th}$ to $24^{th}$, February, 2004. To establish epidemiological analysis, we performed environmental cultures and an antibiogram was obtained from susceptability tests of isolated Acinetobacter species. Results : Clinical manifestations including fever, poor feeding, abdominal distension, diarrhea, bloody stool passage, vomiting, tachypnea and apnea were similar to other infectious diseases. Benign clinical courses were compared with poor prognose, including a high mortality rate in septicemia due to A. baumannii. The major predisposing factor among our patients was the presence of a peripheral intravascular catheter. Antibiogram was similar, but surveillance cultures of environmental specimens failed to identify the source of infection. Conclusion : Acinetobacter species other than A. baumannii were often considered relatively avirulent bacteria, but could be pathologic organisms if cultured in patients with clinical symptoms.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.325-330
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• 2002

Purpose : We intended to find out how the red cell transfusion would change the white cell count in preterm neonates under treatment in the intensive care unit. We also speculated whether the magnitude of such a change could indicate a potential neonatal infection. Methods : Total white blood cell count, total neutrophil count, and band count were compared and analyzed retrospectively on 33 preterm neonates who received red cell transfusions in our hospital's intensive care unit over a period of two years and a month. Results : We found a mean change of $1.33{\times}10^3/mm^3$ and $0.55{\times}10^3/mm^3$ in total white blood cell count and total neutrophil count in the first eight hours following the red cell transfusion. No significant change was observed in band count between pre and post-red cell transfusion. Conclusion : A mild increase in the white blood cell count caused by an increase in neutrophil count was observed temporarily following the red cell transfusion. But the white blood cell count returned to the pre-transfusion level in about 24 hours, indicating that such a low level of increase cannot be interpreted as an infection of a preterm neonate.