Topical Use of Human Milk in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: An Integrative Review.

BACKGROUND: Research has shown that the bioactive components in human milk could demonstrate efficacy when applied topically. One common neonatal skin issue is diaper dermatitis (DD). DD treatment and prevention guidelines often lack the inclusion of topical human milk as a viable option. PURPOSE: To analyze the safety and efficacy of topical human milk application as a means to support future research of human milk as a topical treatment for DD. DATA SOURCES: Google Scholar, CINAHL, PubMed, and Cochrane. STUDY SELECTION: The search was limited to articles published between 2011 and 2023 in the English language. Disqualifying characteristics included nonhuman subjects, literature reviews, inability to obtain articles, and non-peer-reviewed articles. DATA EXTRACTION: For Google Scholar, the search terms "human milk OR breast milk" and "topical" were used. For CINAHL, PubMed, and Cochrane, the search terms "human milk OR chest milk OR breast milk OR donor milk" and "topical" were used. Quantitative significance was defined by a P value of less than .05. RESULTS: The search yielded 20 articles. The results of the review demonstrate that topical human milk application is a safe and effective topical treatment to skin integrity/inflammatory issues such as DD. It also identified that caregivers will likely show positive regard to the treatment, promoting its acceptance. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE AND RESEARCH: The results provide evidence to support methodologic development for human milk application for the prevention and treatment of DD. Further studies can use the results to develop protocols that investigate the effects of human milk application.

NANN Membership Recommendations: Opportunities to Advance Racial Equity Within the Organization.

BACKGROUND: Neonatal care has advanced significantly in recent years, yet racial health inequities persist in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), with infants from racial and ethnic minority groups less likely to receive recommended treatment. Healthcare providers acknowledge that there are steps that can be taken to increase knowledge and awareness regarding health inequities. PURPOSE: To better understand current health equity-related initiatives in the neonatal community and solicit feedback from National Association of Neonatal Nurses (NANN) membership about advancing racial equity within the organization. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in January 2021. The anonymous, onetime survey was distributed to active NANN members via SurveyMonkey and included questions related to racial equity initiatives, recommendations, and demographics. Data analysis was conducted using an exploratory approach using descriptive statistics, and thematic analysis was used to summarize responses to open-ended questions. RESULTS: There were 325 members who completed the full survey, of whom were White (83%), female (96%), staff nurses (42%), and those with more than 16 years of experience (69%), and most (69%) were familiar with NANN's racial equity position statement. Recommendations were summarized into the following themes: (1) research, (2) education, (3) workforce diversity, (4) communication, (5) scholarships, (6) resources, and (7) community outreach. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE AND RESEARCH: NANN members offered clear and actionable recommendations to advance health equity within the neonatal community and organization, which included offering more diversity, inclusion, and equity education at the annual conferences, in ANC articles, and newsletters, and the creation of scholarships or reduced membership fees to encourage diverse enrollment in the organization.

An Adaptation of the Skin Safety Model to Guide Diaper Dermatitis Research in the NICU.

Diaper dermatitis is an ever-present condition among infants. Little is known about the prevalence among infants in the NICU. This article presents an adaptation of the skin safety model (SSM) for the infant in the NICU. The concepts of the model were extracted, defined, and integrated into an adapted SSM model to provide a focus on the infant with diaper dermatitis in the intensive care setting. It is essential to include all factors of the infant's clinical characteristics and hospital experience in the modeling to accurately predict risk of skin vulnerability in this infant population.

Olmsted Syndrome: Case Report of Nursing Management of Premature Twins.

BACKGROUND: Olmsted syndrome is a rare and complex skin disorder affecting 46 (published) infants as of 2012. The infants affected in this case were born premature at 28 weeks' gestation. Infants affected by this syndrome demonstrate numerous plaques on several specific areas of the skin. Common treatments include exfoliation in addition to psoriasis treatments. The extremely fragile nature of the premature infants' skin complicates treatment modalities. CLINICAL FINDINGS: The progression of the infants' dermatologic findings and plaque formation is discussed in this case study. PRIMARY DIAGNOSIS: The primary diagnosis of Olmsted syndrome was made with the assistance of a multidisciplinary team to work through several differential diagnoses presenting with severe forms of palmoplantar keratoderma. INTERVENTIONS: The management of skin plaques in twin premature infants is presented in this case study. An evidence-based approach, utilizing the model of family-centered care, is presented with multidisciplinary involvement and an outline of the specific plan of care for the extensive skin care regimen used. OUTCOMES: An interdisciplinary skin care regimen was created to provide consistency in transition from hospital to home. Using a consistent approach, the plaques were able to be softened and many removed. Continual maintenance is required to manage continual buildup of skin plaques. PRACTICE RECOMMENDATIONS: Premature infants are at increased risk for infection due to the immaturity of their skin. The complexity of their skin complicates the ability to recognize and care for rare skin disorders. This case study illuminates the practicality of a consistent and evidence-based approach to a complex and rare skin disorder.

A Review of the NANN Research Summit Experience: Continuing to Promote a Platform for Research and Clinical Inquiry.

BACKGROUND: The NANN Research Summit has been providing a platform for neonatal scholarship and clinical inquiry for 15 years. As the discipline of nursing and nursing research continue to evolve, it is important to gain perspective on current trends and needs for areas of strength and growth. PURPOSE: To evaluate participant outcomes of the NANN Research Summit and determine opportunities for improvement. METHODS: A 9-question survey was sent to 90 past participants for the Research Summit years 2015-2019. RESULTS: Thirty-seven (41%) participants from 2015 to 2019 responded. Of those responding, 75% continued to pursue their presentation topic; 95% felt empowered to continue their research based on their Summit experience; 84% felt more comfortable presenting their research findings after attending; 84% felt confident in publishing research after attending the Summit, with 43% reporting publications. These accomplished results would not have been possible without Mead Johnson's support. In addition, 57% did not publish the work presented and 65% lacked continued mentorship. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: A redesigned Summit is presented to address the priorities for growth and alignment with continued emphasis on collegiality among neonatal nurse scholars. The redesigned Summit will promote continued clinical inquiry as a result of intentional focus on mentorship and development of scholarship. IMPLICATIONS FOR RESEARCH: The data collected from this initial survey will continue to serve as the basis for future data collection. Continued evaluation of strengths and areas for growth including the number of publications and mentorship experience can lead to expansion of research for the Summit facilitators and participants.

An Integrative Review of Clinical Characteristics of Infants With Diaper Dermatitis.

BACKGROUND: Diaper dermatitis (DD) severity is demonstrated by the degree of erythema and skin breakdown. Many studies describe diaper dermatitis, but lack a full description of clinical characteristic (CC) involvement. PURPOSE: The purpose of this literature review is to explore the descriptions of CC of infants with DD provided within infant DD literature. SEARCH STRATEGY: PubMed and Web of Science were searched using the keywords: diaper dermatitis, diaper rash, infant, and neonate. The inclusion criteria for this project are as follows: published after 1990, English language, include skin assessment or evaluation, and infant/children < two years of age. Review and opinion articles were excluded. RESULTS: A total of 454 studies were retrieved, 27 remained after review for duplicates and relevance. The CC described most often were: type of feeds, stool frequency, history of DD, use of antibiotics, and delivery mode. SYNTHESIS OF EVIDENCE: The studies reported inconsistent CC and a lack of correlation between these characteristics and the condition of diapered skin. Many studies focused solely on the efficacy of interventions lacking description of possible relationships between DD and CC. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Skin condition outcome variables can be improved with the acknowledgment of the impact CC have on the development of DD. The combination of assessment measures and CC may ultimately demonstrate more merit or rigor for describing DD severity and skin condition. IMPLICATIONS FOR RESEARCH: Future research should expand this exploration to include environmental or contributing factors to continue to identify additional risk factors for DD.

Applying Developmentally Supportive Principles to Diapering in the NICU: What We Know.

Developmental care measures are integrated in the NICU, but these measures are largely overlooked when it comes to standard care activities such as diapering. This general review of developmental care in the NICU discusses how caregivers can apply appropriate, individualized developmental care measures to diapering regimens. Numerous opportunities to expand developmental care measures into diapering care are identified; these opportunities can protect and promote sleep for hospitalized infants, enhance the diapering environment, minimize stress that infants may experience with diapering, improve infant skin health outcomes through use of evidence-based skin care practices, and foster family involvement during diapering care in the NICU. A developmental approach to diapering offers hospitalized infants regular opportunities to reach their neurodevelopmental potential.

Leptospermum Honey for Wound Care in an Extremely Premature Infant.

BACKGROUND/INTRODUCTION TO CASE: Neonatal wound care is challenging due to the fragility and vulnerable skin structure. Neonates are often left susceptible to the forces of their environment, leaving them open to infection when skin injury occurs. Leptospermum honey has been used successfully in adult patients, with evidence lacking in the neonatal population. This case demonstrates the management of a difficult-to-heal wound in a 23-week gestation infant. PURPOSE: Selecting the proper treatment and products for wound healing is challenging, with little evidence-based research available for the treatment of neonatal wounds. Leptospermum honey and other adult-driven dressings have been used for neonatal wound care as well as other adult-driven dressings. This case demonstrates the benefits of Leptospermum honey as an option for neonatal wounds. CASE FINDINGS/RESULTS: This case presents the treatment and healing of an extensive wound of a 23-week gestation neonate using a hydrogel product initially and then transitioning to a Leptospermum honey dressing due to suboptimal healing. Results of this treatment included quick healing time, little to no scarring, and no loss of movement or function to the affected extremities. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The incorporation of Leptospermum honey for wound care has the potential to promote faster wound healing, with less scarring in the neonatal population. IMPLICATIONS FOR RESEARCH: Adult wound care principles have been applied in the face of a weak evidence base relating to neonatal-specific cases. There is a need for continued research related to moist wound healing in the neonatal population, with resulting product and practice recommendations.

Diaper Dermatitis: What Do We Do Next?

Diaper dermatitis is a major issue among hospitalized infants, leading to increased medical costs, pain, risk for infection, and distress among patients and caregivers. An evidence-based algorithm for prevention and treatment of diaper dermatitis was developed and introduced in a level IV neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Two cases are discussed as examples of severe diaper dermatitis. The first case demonstrates the final case of severe diaper dermatitis since the introduction of the algorithm. The second case demonstrates a less severe, but equally frustrating, case of diaper dermatitis that occurred after the practice of using the algorithm was established. The need for consistency in the prevention and treatment of diaper dermatitis is paramount to providing quality care. There are a number of points within the bedside care regimen where breakdown in consistency occurs. The adherence to consistent and evidence-based treatment regimens has the potential to decrease the incidence and severity of diaper dermatitis in high-risk hospitalized infants. Initiation of an evidence-based algorithm to assist in the prevention and treatment of diaper dermatitis can be supported by data of the number of cases of diaper dermatitis collected before and after implementing the algorithm. The information can further assist in continued education and pursuance of investigation of other major skin injuries in NICU patients. The importance surrounding infant skin care and building awareness surrounding all of the facets of skin care in this vulnerable population demonstrate the benefits to quality outcomes and care.