Resumen

SANTOS, Andrea Oliveira. NIDCAP: a philosophy of care. Nascer e Crescer [online]. 2011, vol.20, n.1, pp.26-31. ISSN 0872-0754.

Introduction: Preterm births are an evolving global challenge. Its incidence has increased in Western countries with the escalating of fertility treatments and the increasing age of pregnant women. Recent research suggests that as preterm newborns (NB) mature they often do not acquire adequate skills in cognitive functions, mental processing, and behavioural regulation as well as in social and emotional adaptation. Promoting an appropriate quality of life of these children is recognized as a responsibility of the professionals of Neo­natal Intensive Care Units (NICU) that ensure their survival. Objectives: To acquaint the Newborn Individualized Developmental Care and Assessment Program (NIDCAP ®); to list the basic principles of the theoretical foundation of this program; and to identify advantages of implementing this program in the NICU. Development: The Newborn Individualized Development Care and Assessment Program (NIDCAP ®) was created aiming to reduce the negative impact of NICU environment in the premature babies outside mother’s womb.  Detailed observations of the newborns’ behaviour can be the best guide for professionals to arrange continuous individualized care adapted to support their development. Integration of NIDCAP approach in NICU reduces iatrogenic complications related to intensive care environment, since it increases the skills of the newborn, the parents’ trust and satisfaction of health professionals. The model of care NIDCAP involves training and formal education, and requires a commitment to a multidisciplinary team setting, ensuing changes in the hospital and the community. Each clinical report based on detailed infant’s observation interprets the meaning of the observed behaviour within the current clinical setting and stage of development, family’s desires, concerns and worries, as well NICU staff care and social interaction skills. Conclusion: A great transformation is gradually gaining strength in the care given in the NICU and in early intervention programs, consisting of switching procedure-based protocols for care based on individual adapted interactions and collaboration with the NB and the family. The NICU begin to define themselves not only as places taking care of the physical aspects, but also supporting the emotional well-being, thus generating benefits to the babies and their families.

Palabras clave : NIDCAP; NICU; premature; newborn; nursing care; neurodevelopment.

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