Abstract
The admission of a neonate to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) presents unique
and complex needs for both the infant and their parents. This literature review aims
to synthesize existing research to comprehensively understand these needs, focusing
on parental psychosocial well-being, practical requirements, and the neonate's developmental
necessities. Understanding these needs is crucial for optimizing clinical outcomes
and fostering healthy parent-infant relationships. A nonsystematic literature review
was conducted using PubMed, Google Scholar, and PsycINFO databases. Search criteria
focused on “neonatal intensive care” and “parental needs.” Articles published in English
between 2011 and 2022 were included. The review analyzed 123 articles, primarily focusing
on research conducted in Western countries. Parental needs were categorized into seven
areas: mental health/psychosocial well-being, practical needs (physical, safety, monetary),
parental involvement, relationships (infant, staff, peers), information, spiritual
needs, and help with other responsibilities. Neonatal needs included parental involvement,
skin-to-skin contact, breastfeeding, and reduced length of stay. Key findings highlighted
the prevalence of parental anxiety and depression, the importance of practical support,
and the critical role of parental involvement in both parent and infant well-being.
This review underscores the interconnectedness of parental and neonatal needs within
the NICU environment. Parental involvement is essential for both groups, and factors
such as hospital policies, community resources, and socioeconomic status significantly
influence fulfilling these needs. The limitation of the review indicates the need
for more diverse global research. Future studies should address these limitations
and explore effective interventions to meet the identified needs, improving outcomes
for NICU families.
Key Points
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The review identifies seven key parental needs in the NICU and four neonatal needs.
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It is important to provide support for the well-being of both parents and infants.
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Hospital policies, community resources, and socioeconomic status impact the ability
to meet these.
Keywords
literature review - neonatal intensive care unit - parental needs - neonatal needs
