Neonatal Network
March/April 2006
Vol. 25, No. 2

ABSTRACTS

Steps to Successfully Breastfeed the Premature Infant
Laura J. Isaacson, RNC, MSN, IBCLC

The birth of a premature infant causes emotional upheaval for parents. They often wonder what they can do to help their infant during the critical newborn period. Providing breast milk is one of the most important physiologic benefits a mother can give her premature infant. The advantages of breast milk are numerous. It is the responsibility of those who care for premature infants and their families to provide parents with the support they need to supply the best possible nutrition for their infant. Breastfeeding a premature infant can challenge both the mother and her health care team, however. Infants should be assessed individually for readiness to proceed through the steps leading to successful breastfeeding. From establishing a milk supply to putting the baby to the breast, parents rely on the nurse for information, instruction, and encouragement. This article identifies obstacles to breastfeeding the premature infant and offers a step-by-step approach for promoting successful breastfeeding in the NICU.

Sturge-Weber Syndrome: A Case Study
Linda D. Welty, MSN, NNP

Sturge-Weber syndrome (SWS) is a rare, sporadic, progressive, congenital syndrome. In its complete trisymptomatic form, SWS is physically characterized by port-wine stains over the trigeminal area, leptomeningeal angiomas usually over the parieto-occipital region, and eye abnormalities. Clinical manifestation for infants with SWS depends on the affected organs, but can include seizures, mental retardation, and glaucoma. This article begins with a case presentation of an infant with SWS and then presents the etiology, embryology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, management, and prognosis of SWS.

Cloacal Exstrophy
Susan Jane Hyun, RN, BSN

Cloacal exstrophy is an extremely rare and devastating complex of congenital abnormalities resulting in multiple debilitating morbidities. Infants with this disorder require numerous surgical interventions to repair gastrointestinal, genitourinary, spinal, and orthopedic malformations. Treatment involves the combined efforts of many medical and nursing specialists. This article discusses the embryology, clinical presentation, and management (both early and long term) of cloacal exstrophy, with emphasis on gender reassignment issues and quality of life.

Car Seat Safety for High-Risk Infants
Kimberly D. Howard-Salsman, RNC, MSN, NNP

Most neonates discharged from the hospital are able to go home in a standard car safety seat. Some infants, though, require special devices to ensure their safe travel. NICU nurses must have the knowledge and skills to comfortably and competently give vital information to parents preparing to take their infant home. This article is intended to increase awareness among NICU nurses of the potential dangers babies face when placed in a car seat. It provides a basic overview of car seat safety for infants being discharged home from an NICU and includes references for those who seek further information on this topic.

NRP 2006: What You Should Know
Jeanette Zaichkin, RNC, MN

In spring 2006, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American Heart Association (AHA) will introduce revised materials for the Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP). These revisions affect the practice of neonatal resuscitation as well as the administrative components of the NRP. This article cannot address every program revision. Instead, it summarizes what prompted the program changes and then introduces the reader to guideline revisions that affect practice, as well as to changes in NRP tools and resources.The fifth edition of the Textbook of Neonatal Resuscitation is currently in press. The AAP granted permission to use material from the forthcoming edition in this article.