Thesis--Columbia University. / Bibliography: leaves 185-193.

Thesis--New York University. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1984. / Typescript. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 51-55).

Thesis--Univ. of Michigan. / Bibliography: leaves 106-112.

Thesis (M. Nurs.)--University of Hong Kong, 2005.

No description available.

The effects of perinatal risk and gestational age on sensory responsiveness and the ability to habituate were evaluated in three groups of preterm newborns designated as at high-, moderate-, and low-risk for developmental disability. Two major hypotheses were investigated: 1) that preterm infants have an elevated sensory threshold leaving them relatively unavailable to stimulation and 2) that once the preterm is stimulated sufficiently to respond, he/she is largely unable to habituate to repeated stimulus presentations. Additionally, the reliability of responsiveness and habituation over a 24-hour period was assessed.

Problem: Identifying the factors effecting birth transition success of late preterm infants may improve early recognition of newborn compromise. Multiple explanatory variables may be associated with birth transition success or failure. The purpose of the study was to determine the prevalence of, and clinical-epidemiological and demographic predictive factors for birth transition success of late preterm infants. Methods: A retrospective case-control chart review was used to compare the characteristics of successful and unsuccessful birth transition of 35 and 36 week gestational age late-preterm infants delivered in a large tertiary-care center during calendar year 2007. A mixture of categorical and numeric variables related to maternal, birth, and physiologic constructs were analyzed for their effects on birth transition as a binary outcome variable (success or failure). Results: Of 22 variables tested, four predictor variables were associated with birth transition failure: labor (OR = .42, p = .014), 5-minute Apgar score (OR = 1.79, p = .043), gender (OR = .47, p =.003), and respiratory rate (OR= 2.08, p = .001) as tested by logistic regression. The model was able to accurately assign transition failure and success at a rate of 66.7% and 74% respectively. The overall model was statistically significant (likelihood ratio chi square = 38.97(4), p

The purpose of this study is to explore the differences in physiologic and financial outcomes among neonates delivered at 26, 28, 30, 32 and 34 gestational weeks. The Rosswurm-Larrabee model was selected as the theoretical framework for this research study. Prior to this study, an extensive review of the relevant literature failed to discover studies that encompass physiologic and financial outcomes at gestational-age specific groups. A descriptive, comparative design was utilized to determine physiologic and financial outcome among the five groups. A systematic retrospective chart review was used to select the sample from premature deliveries that occurred from January 1, 1999 to December 31, 1999 at a tertiary hospital in a metropolitan area in the Southeastern United States. The data analysis indicated a significant statistical difference in the financial outcomes among the groups. Additionally, there was a significant statistical difference in the majority of the physiologic outcomes including, respiratory distress, hyperbilirubinemia, necrotizing enterocolitis, sepsis, retinopathy, patent ductus arteriosus, intrauterine growth retardation, Apgar Scores at 1 and 5 minutes, and birth weight. Recommendations were made for further studies utilizing a larger, more diverse sample. In addition, a longitudinal study that encompasses long-term outcomes of neonates would be beneficial since many effects of prematurity are no evident until certain developmental milestones are or not achieved. A qualitative research study on how to better prepare parents for parenthood and to what extent the additional responsibilities and expectations might compromise the families parenting abilities was also recommended. Furthermore, the development of additional studies that focus on the use of critical pathways and outcomes should also be investigated. The devastating effects of prematurity on families and society provides the nurse with the unique opportunity for education and intervention with caring strategies. This research presents baseline data from which our society stands to benefit.

The purpose of this study was to assess if preterm infants receiving an intervention of intermittent human tactile contact would demonstrate clinical improvement over infants who did not receive the intervention. A quasi-experimental design was used with 26 infants between 28 and 32 weeks gestation. Hands were placed on the infants' heads and lower backs for a total of 36 minutes of tactile contact a day for 10 days. Findings indicated a significant gain in mean body weight for both groups between Day 0 and Day 10. Also, there was a significant decrease in mean hematocrit in the control group between Day 0 and Day 10. On Day 10, experimental infants had a significantly higher mean number of apneic and bradycardic episodes than control infants. There were no significant mean differences between the groups for body weight, body temperature stability, oxygen variance, or hematocrit. Data suggest that gentle human touch may be correlated with desireable outcomes. Further research is necessary.