Interface pressure comparison of healthy premature infants with various neonatal bed surfaces.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine interface pressure between the occiput of healthy premature infants and 5 different bed surfaces used in special care nurseries.

Subjects: Thirteen healthy premature infants comprised the convenience sample enrolled 1 to 3 weeks prior to discharge.

Design: A quasi-experimental design was used with the dependent variable being the interface pressures obtained under the occiput and the independent variables as the bed surfaces.

Sleeping beauties: the impact of sedation on neonatal development.

Sedatives are frequently administered in neonatal intensive care to induce sleep for diagnostic and radiology procedures, calm irritable infants, manage pain-related agitation, and enhance ventilation. The pharmacology and side effects of sedatives commonly used with neonates will be reviewed and placed within the context of their potential effect on neonatal development. Alternative caregiving strategies to minimize or eliminate the need for sedation will be discussed.