• 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.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.8
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• pp.857-863
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• 2006

Purpose : To evaluate the immunogenicity of hepatitis B vaccine among very low birth weight infants(VLBWI) who were vaccinated at 0, 1, 6 months of chronological age and to determine the factors associated with antibody formations. Methods : A total of 243 VLBWI admitted to Seoul and Gangneung Asan Medical Center neonatal intensive care units from 1997 to 2004 were included. Of 243, 13 infants were born to HBs Ag positive mother. All infants were given DNA recombinant vaccine at 0, 1, and 6 months of chronological age. Infants born to HBs Ag positive mothers received hepatitis B immunoglobulin at birth and a total of 4 doses of vaccinations. An antibody level over 10 mIU/mL, tested at 3-4 months after last vaccination, was regarded as a positive seroconversion. Results : The seroconversion rates were 84.4 percent and 84.5 percent for VLBWI and extremely low birth weight infants(ELBWI), respectively. Of 28 seronegative infants who were given revaccinations, 60.7 percent seroconverted, resulting in 95.3 percent, 97.5 percent seroconversion rates for VLBWI and ELBWI, respectively. 76.9 percent of infants born to HBsAg positive mothers seroconverted and none became hepatitis B carriers. Factors such as gestational age, sex, various neonatal illness, and kinds of vaccinations did not influence the formation of the hepatits B antibody, however, the higher the weight at time of first vacciation yielded better seroconversion rate. Conclusion : Revaccination of seronegative VLBWI after 3 doses of hepatitis B vaccinaton is very effective. Therefore, testing the immune status after the hepatitis B vaccination, a practice not routinely done, is highly recommended.

• The Korean Nurse
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• v.22 no.5 s.123
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• pp.50-65
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• 1983

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.143-153
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• 2005

Purpose: This study was aimed at finding the effects of cycled lighting on body weight, physiological variables and the behavioral state of LBWI (low birth weight infants) in the NICU. Method: The subjects were 20 LBWI at 2 NICUs. They were assigned to an experimental or control group which consisted of 10 subjects in each. Cycled light was applied to the experimental group for 10 days. Result: It was certified that the application of cycled lighting resulted in increased body weight and O2 saturation, and decreased heart rate of the LBWI. However, there was no effect in decrease of respiration and stabilization of the behavioral state. Conclusion: The application of cycled lighting might be a nursing intervention which would in turn have positive effects on the growth of LBWI.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.628-638
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• 2004

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of follow-up care on the social support, self-esteem and maternal confidence in mothers of low birth weight infants. Method: This study applied a quasi-experiment study method to examine the pre-post intervention effects. Eighty-eight mothers whose infants were below 2.5kg of Low birth weight were studied. The period for the data collection was from July to December in 2003. Self Reported Survey and Face to Face Interview by the highly trained home Visiting Nurses were used for this study. Result: Most of the participants reported statistically significant improvements in the score of social support, self-esteem and maternal confidence after they received the intervention. Conclusion: Longitudinal study for the mothers of low birth weight infants might reveal more comprehensive findings. Moreover, follow-up care, which is linked with community health care services, is needed to continue the post hospital care services. Additionally, qualified and professional intervention programs should be provided to consider the characteristics of mothers of low birth weight infants.

• Korean System Dynamics Review
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.5-31
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• 2010

The purpose of this study is to develop a system dynamics model for growth prediction of low birth weight infants(LBWIs) based on nutrition. This growth prediction model consists of 9 modules; body weight, height, carbohydrate, protein, lipid, micronutrient, water, activity and energy module. The results of the model simulation match well with the percentiles of weights and heights of the Korean infants, also with the growth records of 55 LBWIs, under 37 weeks of gestational age, whose weights are appropriate for their gestational age. This model can be used to understand the current growth mode of LBWIs, predict the future growth of LBWIs, and be utilized as a tool for controlling the nutrient intake for the optimal growth of LBWIs in actual practice.

• Child Health Nursing Research
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.5-18
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• 1997

This study was designed to compare the educational needs of the mothers of LBW infant and normal neonate for development of the educational program. The subjects for this study were 37 mothers of LBW and 60 mothers of normal neonate at 3 general hospitals in Seoul and Inchon. The data were collected during the period from July to November, 1996. The Educational Need for Infant Care was measuerd by questionnaire that has developed by researchers. The data were analized by descriptive statistics, non-paired t-test, ANOVA, ANCOVA using SPSS PC/sup +/. The results were as fellow : 1) The educational needs of the mothers of LBW infant were higher than the mothers of normal neonate(F=14.50, P=.000). 2) There were significant associations between the educational needs of the mothers of LBW infant and delivery history(nullipara. or multipara. ) and caregiver of postpartum(t:-2.08, P=.045 ; F=3.94, P=.0282). 3) There were significant associations between the educational needs of the mothers of normal neonate and numbers of children and caregiver of postpartum(F=5.53, P=.0064 ; F=3.22, P=.0480) .4) The educational need by content was signs, symptomes and management of disorders (i. g. cyanosis, seizure, fever, vomiting etc.) were higher than general care of baby(i. g. feeding, diaper change etc.) at two groups. In conclusion, when the nurses teaching the method of infant care to mother, there sholud be in consideration of delivery history and caregiver of postpartum. Also, its educational contents must be Included of signs, symptomes and management of disorders.

• Child Health Nursing Research
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.281-290
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• 2000

This study was performed to investigate the effect of kangaroo care on anxiety and confidence and gratification of mothering role in mothers of low birth weight infants. The subjects were 30 mothers of low birth weight infants, sixteen for the kangaroo care group and fourteen for the control group, whose infants hospitalized in two neonatal intensive care unit at two university-affiliated hospital. The kangaroo care was applied 9 times during the twenty six days with 40 minutes for each session. The kangaroo care provides the skin-to-skin contact during which a low birth weight infant wearing a diaper and a hat is placed on its mother's chest. The questionnaire, state anxiety was completed before beginning the first intervention. The questionnaire, state anxiety and confidence and gratification of mothering role were completed at 2 weeks after discharge. The data were analyzed by a SPSS program. The results were as follows : 1. There were no significant differences in the state anxiety between the kangaroo care and the control group before beginning the first intervention. The state anxiety was significantly lower in kangaroo care group than in control group. 2. The confidence of mothering role was significantly higher in kangaroo care group than in control group at 2 weeks after discharge. 3. The gratification of mothering role was significantly higher in kangaroo care group than in control group at 2 weeks after discharge. 4. In mothers of low birth weight infants, the state anxiety was negatively correlated to the confidence of mothering role and the gratification of mothering role at 2 weeks after discharge. And the confidence of mothering role in mothers of low birth weight infants was positively correlated to the gratification of mothering role at 2 weeks after discharge. These results suggest that kangaroo care is an effective nursing intervention for mothers of low birth weight infants in reducing the state anxiety, improving the confidence and gratification of mothering role.

• 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.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.9
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• pp.959-965
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• 2006

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of prophylactic indomethacin on reduction of patent ductus arteriosus(PDA) and intraventricular hemorrhage(IVH) in extremely low birth weight infants(ELBWI). Methods : Retrospective review of 84 ELBWI who were admitted to our neonatal intensive care unit from June 2004 to April 2006 was performed. Patients were divided into prophylactic group(n=28) and control group(n=56), where prophylactic indomethacin were given within 6 hours after birth. Clinical outcomes were compared between these groups. Results : There were no significant differences in gestational age, birth weight, incidence of hemodynamically significant PDA and severe IVH, and mortality between prophylactic group and control group. However, there were more frequent indications for therapeutic indomethacin, higher incidence of intestinal perforation, and longer time to achieve full enteral feeding in prophylactic group than control group. The incidence of other adverse events attributed to indomethacin prophylaxis did not differ between two groups. Conclusions : Prophylactic indomethacin may not prevent hemodynamically significant PDA and severe IVH in ELBWI. On the contrary, it may be associated with increased risk of adverse events. Further efforts should be investigated to decrease PDA and severe IVH in ELBWI.