Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Medical procedures such as oxygen therapy, parenteral nutrition, blood transfusions, and invasive diagnostic procedures in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) expose neonates to stress. Additionally, stress in neonates may also arise from their developmental environment. The NICU setting, including noise from medical equipment, lighting, and physical separation from the mother, can exacerbate stress levels. Neonatal stress can affect an infant's adaptation, the effectiveness of medical treatments, the length of hospital stay, and overall quality of life. The concepts of pain and stress in neonates need to be clarified to understand better and then apply them to improve neonates' quality of life. Therefore, the current study aimed at clarifying the concept of stress in neonates. This study employs the concept analysis approach developed by Walker and Avant. A literature search strategy was conducted using academic databases. The keywords used were "stress AND concept AND (neonatal OR infant) AND NICU." The selection criteria included (1) open-access, (2) the most relevant, and (3) English-language publications.The defining attributes of neonatal stress include negative behavioral changes, physiological alterations, and abnormal metabolic laboratory results. Antecedent factors include biological stressors, painful medical procedures, and external environmental stressors.Some attributes of neonatal stress overlap with the concepts of pain and discomfort in neonates. The consequences of neonatal stress include maladaptive responses associated with declining physical function and immunity, prolonged length of hospital stay (LOS), reduced quality of life, decreased parental satisfaction, and increased healthcare costs.
Source: Journal of chemical health risks
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7217857642