• Child Health Nursing Research
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.190-198
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• 2016

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the paternal stress and nursing support as perceived by fathers of high risk infants admitted to Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU). Methods: The study participants included 88 fathers of high risk infants in NICUs. Their parental stress and nursing support were measured using a self-report questionnaire. Results: The parental stress level of the fathers was 3.57 of a possible 5. Among the parental stress items, 'Relationship with infant and parental role' had the highest scores. The perceived nursing support level was a relatively high, 3.90 on a 5-point scale. The lowest score was for the item 'showed concern about my well-being.' The parental stress was lower in fathers with low income, higher in fathers in nuclear families and when the infants' condition was serious. Conclusion: The findings indicate that fathers of high risk infants experience intense parental stress. Thus when designing care to provide support for these fathers and their infants, it is necessary to encourage the fathers' engagement, provide information on how to respond to the baby, and include supportive care to the fathers.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.865-878
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• 1999

With advances in neonatal medicine, smaller and sicker infants are surviving premature birth. As these tiny patients battle for their lives, their parents also struggle with psychological consequences of an unexpected role. The birth of a sick infants has long been documented as stressful events for the parents. High stress levels may alter parents' interaction with their baby and impair their communication with health professionals, which can in turn affect parents' participation in care planning and decision making. Nursing interventions aimed at reducing the parental stress and anxiety levels during this crisis may have a positive impact on their ability to form an attatchment to their baby and make prudent decisions about his care. The planning of such interventions would be inhanced if the contributions of various factors to increased parental stress levels were identified. This descriptive study was conducted to understand the contents and degree of parental stress in the NICU during their premature's hospitalization, and to give a baseline data in developing nursing intervention program. Subjects were the 60 mother of hospitalized newborn in NICU of 2 University Hospital in Taejon City from April 1st, 1999 to June 30th, 1999, who agreed to take part in this study. The instrument used in this study were Parental Stressor Scales:NICU(PSS:NICU) developed by Miles et al.. and validated by 3 NICU practitioners and 3 child health nursing faculties. The questionnaire has 4 dimensions and 45 items; sight and sounds of NICU(5 items), babies' appearance and behavior nursing intervention(19 items), parental role alteration and relationship with their baby(10 items), health team communication(11 items). The questionnaire asks parents to rate each item on a five-point Likert type scale that ranges from "not stressful" (1) to "extremely stressfu1"(5). Total scores representing overall stress from the NICU environment are calculated by summing response to each item. A high score indicates high stress. A subscale score is calculated by summing the responses to each item in the subscale. Cronbach's ${\alpha}$ coefficients were .93. The data was analyzed as average, Frequency, Standard deviation, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficient by use of SPSS/PC+. The results of this study is summarized as follows ; 1. The total perceived stress level score of mothers of premature baby was slightly high($3.66{\pm}1.1$). The highest scored dimension was 'relationship with their baby and parental role change'($4.21{\pm}0.9$), and next were 'appearance and behavior of the baby'($3.92{\pm}1.1$), 'communication with health team'($3.32{\pm}1.3$), 'sight and sounds of NICU'($3.30{\pm}1.1$). 2. There were statistically significant correlation noted ; mother's perceived severity of the baby's condition(F=8.0012, P= .0125) and baby's gestational age(r = -.4724, P = .0500). In summary, information about physical environment of NICU, the mother's perceived severity of premature baby's state, maternal role change related variables and the knowledge of characteristics of premature baby must be included in nursing intervention program of mother's of premature baby in reducing the parental stress and anxiety level. It is suggested that each NICU needs to develop a nurse managed supportive care program for parents of premature baby. Also, it is suggested that there need to investigate the coping mechanism of mother of premature baby.

• Neonatal Medicine
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.170-177
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• 2018

Purpose: Preterm infants frequently require red blood cell (RBC) transfusions in neonatal intensive care units (NICU). Storage RBCs undergo many changes during storage periods. We aimed to compare the hemoglobin (Hb) correction effect according to the period of RBC storage and investigate the factors influencing Hb correction. Methods: This retrospective study reviewed the medical records of 289 patients who received RBC transfusion more than once in the NICU of Kosin University Gospel Hospital between February 2006 and March 2016. The subjects were classified into two storage groups: short-term (${\leq}7days$, n=88) and long-term (>7 days, n=201), according to the period of RBC storage. We checked Hb levels by complete blood cell count tests conducted within 2 days before and 5 to 9 days after the first transfusion. We compared the Hb difference between the two groups and analyzed the factors influencing Hb correction. Results: Excluding the use of an invasive ventilator, there was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of clinical characteristics. There was no significant difference in the Hb correction effect between the two groups (P=0.537). Birth weight greater than 1,500 g, higher weight at transfusion, and larger volume of transfusion were significant prognostic factors affecting greater changes in Hb. In addition, surgery experience, higher Hb level at transfusion, and additional blood tests were found to be significantly associated with less changes in Hb. Conclusion: The RBC storage period did not affect the Hb correction effect. The Hb correction effect may be diminished in infants with lower birth weight and lower weight at transfusion under unstable clinical conditions.

• Neonatal Medicine
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.13-20
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• 2010

Purpose : Because infants who have been hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) are usually ill or premature, they are hospitalized repeatedly after their discharge. We intended to survey the frequencies and the medical costs of those rehospitalizations. Methods : The NICUs of 7 major hospitals were included. The subjects were 3,451 infants that were admitted to the NICU from July 2005 to June 2006, and discharged to home. The frequency, causes, mean cost and distribution and proportion of National Health Insurance coverage and non covered costs were analyzed. Results : The rate of rehospitalization after discharge from the NICU over 1 year was 14.8%. If multiple cases are considered as individual cases, it is 21.7%. The major causes of admission were pneumonia (15.8%), bronchiolitis (14.5%), gastroenteritis (10.4%), urinary tract infection (6.3%) and sepsis (6.3%). The mean cost for each admission was 1,652 thousand won. The mean cost of National Health Insurance coverage was 1,170 thousand won and non covered coat were 472 thousand won 70.9% and 28.6% respectively. Conclusion : The ratio of rehospitalization of infants after their discharge from the NICU over 1 year was approximately 20% and it means that follow-up management of these infants is very important and meticulous concerns after discharge should be given. However the rehospitalization and the non-coverage proportion of National Health Insurance cost is considerably high. It strongly implies that National Health Insurance should cover much more proportion, and personal cost exemption should be proceeded in case of rehospitalization of infants after discharge from the NICU.

• Child Health Nursing Research
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.252-261
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• 2018

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of an empowerment program on maternal stress, anxiety, depression and parenting confidence. Methods: A total of 44 mothers of preterm infants were assigned into an experimental or a control group (n=22 each). The experimental group received the usual nursing care and 7 sessions of an empowerment program. The control group only received the usual care. The program was implemented from June to December, 2016 in the neonatal intensive care unit of K university-affiliated hospital in Daegu, Korea. The outcome variables measured were parental stress (PSS: NICU), anxiety (STAI), depression (CES-D) and parenting confidence. Data were analyzed using t-test or repeated measures ANOVA. Results: Scores for both parental stress (t=3.07 p=.004) and depression (F=3.76, p=.26) were significantly lower in the experimental group than in the control group. However, there were no significant differences in anxiety between the groups (F=0.79, p=.505). Parenting confidence scores (F=9.05, p=.001) were significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group. Conclusion: A maternal empowerment program can be an effective means of reducing parental stress and depression as well as enhancing parenting confidence, for mothers of preterm infants.

• Child Health Nursing Research
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.198-206
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• 2013

Purpose: This study was done to identify the effectiveness of the 'intervention - mother's recorded song' on low-birth weight infants in an neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Methods: This study was conducted with a nonequivalent control group pre-posttest quasi-experimental design and the participant group was low-birth weight infants who were admitted to the NICU. Forty-eight infants, 24 in each from two groups, the experimental and control group, participated in the study. Results: For physical response according to vital signs, there were no significant statistical differences in heart rate, respiration rate and pulse oximetry saturation between the experimental group and the control group. For behavioral state, there was a significant statistical difference between the experimental and control group. Conclusion: The study results indicate that the intervention using mother's song had some significance as a nursing intervention with positive impacts. Such an intervention can help pediatric nurses improve infants' stabilization of their vital signs and behavioral states. By showing the effectiveness of such an intervention, the results of this study provide further evidence-based information in developing the practice of pediatric nursing.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.141-146
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• 2022

Purpose: Congenital tuberculosis (TB) is difficult to diagnose owing to its non-specific symptoms. Delayed diagnosis increases the risk of nosocomial infections. We examined the TB status of infants and healthcare workers who were in proximity to preterm twins diagnosed with congenital TB 63 days after birth and 48 days after admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Methods: Contact investigations were conducted on 24 staff members and 35 infants who had contact with the twins with congenital TB. Results: Two of the exposed infants, both of whom had received the Bacille Calmette-Guérin vaccine, had positive tuberculin skin test results. Four of the 24 exposed staff members had positive interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) test results before exposure and were not re-tested after exposure; the remaining 20 had negative IGRA test results. All exposed staff members and infants had normal chest radiographic findings. Conclusions: Although transmission of TB in the NICU is unusual, it can occur. These results support the need for a systematic investigation of the TB status of exposed infants, their family members, and healthcare workers.

• Journal of Korean Clinical Nursing Research
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.205-216
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• 2016

Purpose: This study was performed to develop a valid and reliable Korean Patient Classification System for Neonatal care nurses (KPCSN). Methods: The study was conducted in tertiary and general hospitals with 1~2 grade according to nursing fee differentiation policy for NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) nurse staffing. The reliability was evaluated for the classification of 218 patients by 10 nurse managers and 56 staff nurses working in NICUs from 10 hospitals. To verify construct validity, 208 patients were classified and compared for the type of stay, gestational age, birth weight, and current body weight. Nursing time was measured by nurses, nurse managers, and nurse aids. For the calculation of conversion index (total nursing time divided by the KPCSN score), 426 patients were classified using the KPCSN. Data were collected from September 5 to October 28, 2015, and analyzed using t-test, ANOVA, intraclass correlation coefficient, and non-hierarchial cluster analysis. Results: The final KPCSN consisted of 11 nursing categories, 71 nursing activities and 111 criteria. The reliability of the KPCSN was r=.83 (p<.001). The construct validity was established. The KPCSN score was classified into four groups; group $1:{\leq}57points$, group 2: 58~80 points, group 3: 81~108 points, and group $4:{\geq}109points$ in the KPSCN score. The conversion index was calculated as 7.45 minutes/classification score. Conclusion: The KPCSN can be utilized to measure specific and complex nursing demands for infants receiving care in the NICUs.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.45 no.7
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• pp.836-846
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• 2002

Purpose : With the development of neonatal intensive care and the increased use of systemic antibiotics, candida sepsis has become one of the most important causes of neonatal morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence rate and its associated risk factors. Methods : We retrospectively reviewed medical records of 28 cases with candida sepsis who were admitted in the neonatal intensive care unit(NICU) of Chonnam University Hospital from July 1995 to June 2001. Twenty-nine patients without candida sepsis were enrolled for the control group to verify the risk factors. Results : The overall incidence of candida sepsis was 0.61% for all NICU admissions and 3.68% for all very low birth weight infants with the gradual increase of the annual prevalance rate over time. The endotracheal intubation, percutaneous central vein catheter(PCVC), umbilical vein catheter, total parenteral nutrition, intralipid and dopamine were more applied than the control group (P<0.01 for all). The durations of mechanical ventilator care, central catheter appliance, nothing per os, and admission were also significantly longer than the control group(P<0.01 for all). Ampicillin/ sulbactam, ceftazidime, amikacin, netilmicin, teicoplanin and imipenem/cilastatin were significantly more used than the control group(P<0.05). The durations of ampicillin/sulbactam, ceftazidime, netilmicin and imipenem/cilastatin administration were also proved to be significant as the risk factors(P<0.01). Conclusion : The average annual prevalence rate of candida sepsis in NICU for six years was 0.61% with gradual increasing tendency over time. The elimination of the above risk factors is important in decreasing neonatal morbidity and mortality associated with candida sepsis.

• Child Health Nursing Research
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.159-176
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• 1998

In effort to conduct comparative study on the caregiving environment of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit(NICU) in both U. S and Korea, this study was been conducted first in the U.S. Purpose : The purpose of this study is to identify the physical environment and direct caregiving practices to lowbirth weight infants in NICU in the US. It also aims to examine the NICU outcome status and behavioral reponses of lowbirth weight infants. Methods : A study design using descriptive and inferential statistics was been conducted through an observational, field method. A sample of 15 preform infants admitted to NICU were recruited for the study. The subjects were those with birth weight between 1,000 gm to 1,500 gm, born at the gestation period of 27 to 33 weeks, and without any chromosomal or other genetic anomalies, major congenital infections, or maternal illness. Thirty minutes observation(three times of ten minutes of continuous observation)of the infant's behavior and physiological status, and an four-hour observation of the physical environment and direct care giving procedures were been conducted on the 3rd and 10th day after birth, and on the day of discharge from the NICU or at 34weeks postconception. The data to be collected were in four areas : the demograghic characteristics of the infants, the physical environment and care giving procedures, the frequency of the infant's designated behavior and physiological response, and NICU outcome variables. A descriptive analysis and Kruskal-Wallis, Pearson r were been applied according to variable characteristics. Results : 1. Mother's mean age was 29.47. The sample consisted of 6 males and 9 females. Mean gestational ages were 29.17 weeks. Mean birth weight was 1236.33g. Mean Apgar scores at one minute were 6.6, and 7.8 at five minutes. 2. The location for the incubator was in the distance from the light, X-ray screens and nursing station, in proximity to side-lamp, telephone and faucet on the third day after birth. The location for the incubator was in the distance from the light and radio on the tenth day and in proximity to nursing station on the day of dischage from the NICU or at 34weeks postconception. 3. Nesting was the most applying aids to the infants. And foot roll, shielding and plastic frame were frequently using by nurses for facilitating well modulated restful posture. 4. There were statistically significant changes in the patterns of physical environment included locating the infant's incubator and bedding, specific aids to self regulation on the 3rd and 10th day after birth, and on the day of discharge from the NICU or at 34weeks postconception. 5. Statistically significant changes were not appeared in the patterns of direct caregiving procedure to the infants included stress inducing or reducing manipulations on the 3rd and 10th day after birth, and on the day of discharge from the NICU or at 34weeks postconception. 6. The stress response of the infants in NICU were significantly reduced as the infants grow older. 7. There were not statistically significant correlation between the physical envronment and the stress responses of the infants in NICU. 8. There were statistically significant correlation between the direct caregiving procedure to the infants and the stress response of the infants in NICU in the second and third observation on the day three. 9. Average weight gain per day from birth to discharge was 38.73g, number of days in the hospital was 42.60, number of days before bottle feeding was 3.6. Postconception age starting bottle feed ing was 31/sup +5/ weeks. Number of days on mechanical ventilator was average 7.64, 11.42 was an average number of days of oxygen need. Conclusion : It, thus, appears that to minimize the sensorymotor stimulation for the low birthweight preterm infant in NICU, manipulation of care giving practices to the babies whatever the stress inducing or reducing procedures, have to be limited in the immediate early stage after birth. And it needed to be reexamine to identify the appropriate and specific physical environment and the patterns of direct caregiving to the low birthweight preform infant as the infants grow older in NICU.