Exposure to Clinical Stressors During NICU Admission in Preterm Infants

Overview

Journal Eur J Pediatr

Specialty Pediatrics

Date 2025 Feb 13

PMID 39945927

Authors

Naomi J Meesters

Gerbrich E van den Bosch

Maria Luisa Tataranno

Chris H P van den Akker

Christ-Jan van Ganzewinkel

Judith A Ten Barge

Frank A B A Schuerman

Henriette van Zanten

Willem P de Boode

Marlou M A Raets

Peter H Dijk

Joost van Rosmalen

Marijn J Vermeulen

Wes Onland

Lotte Haverman

Irwin K M Reiss

Anton H van Kaam

Manon Benders

Monique van Dijk

Sinno H P Simons

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Conclusion: Stress exposure in preterm infants during NICU admission varies over time with infants with the lowest gestational age at risk for experiencing the highest levels of stress throughout NICU admission. This highlights the importance stress reduction and provides opportunities for future interventions aimed at reducing stress exposure.

What Is Known: • Preterm birth and admission to a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit is very stressful. • High stress exposure in neonatal life is associated with adverse long term outcome.

What Is New: • Stress exposure is highest in infants with the youngest gestational ages where it remains high or even increases during the first month of life. • Lower gestational age, no antenatal administration of corticosteroids and lower 5-min Apgar score were significantly related with higher daily NeO-stress scores.

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