Nursing Care of Infants

Chapter 30

Nursing Care of Infants

Growth and Development

Developmental Timetable

Four to Five Months

Physical

Motor

Sensory

Socialization and vocalization

Six to Seven Months

Physical

Motor

Sensory

Socialization and vocalization

Ten to Twelve Months

Physical

Motor

Sensory

Socialization and vocalization

Health Promotion of Infants

Nutrition during Infancy

Nutrition in Relation to Growth and Development

Growth

Development

Guidelines for Infant Nutrition

Breast milk or iron-fortified commercial formula recommended for first year of life; American Academy of Pediatrics states iron-fortified commercial formula is acceptable but not preferred alternative to breastfeeding

Breast milk: most complete diet for first 6 month; may require supplementation

Whole cow’s milk: should not be introduced until after 1 year of age; difficult to digest; inadequate in iron, vitamin C, and other essential nutrients

Solid foods

Fruit juices: should be offered from cup early to prevent dental caries; can be substituted for milk for one feeding each day

Method for introducing solid foods

Weaning

Immunizations

Types of immunizations that provide active immunity; see Chapter 3, Integral Aspects of Nursing Care, Infection, Review of Physiology (Immunity), for Figure 3-2 A, B, and C (Recommended Immunization Schedules—United States 2011)

1. Hepatitis B vaccine (Hep B)

2. Hepatitis A vaccine (Hep A)

3. Diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis (DTaP)

4. Inactivated polio vaccine (IPV)

5. Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine (Hib)

6. Rotavirus vaccine (RV)

7. Pneumococcal vaccine (PCV)

8. Chickenpox (Varicella) vaccine

9. Measles (rubeola), mumps, and rubella (German measles) vaccine (MMR); live, attenuated vaccine

Factors influencing administration of immunizations

1. Benefit from being protected by immunization outweighs risk from contracting disease

2. Maternal antibodies acquired in utero from placenta provide passive immunity for first several weeks of life; antibodies acquired from breastfeeding mother after birth provide infant with immunity against most viral, bacterial, and fungal infections during infancy

3. Contraindications

Injury Prevention during Infancy

Accidents are a leading cause of death

Teaching prevention

1. Birth to 4 months

a. Sudden infant death: place on back; avoid soft, moldable bedding (e.g., pillows, quilts)

b. Suffocation

c. Falls

d. Burns

e. Motor vehicles

f. Environment: keep sharp, jagged-edged objects away from infant’s vicinity

2. Four to 7 months

a. Aspiration

b. Suffocation: see birth to 4 months

c. Falls: restrain in high chair; keep crib rails raised to full height

d. Poisoning

e. Burns: see birth to 4 months

f. Motor vehicles: see birth to 4 months

g. Environment: offer toys that are smooth and rounded, made of wood or plastic; do not allow long, pointed objects as toys

3. Eight to 12 months

a. Aspiration: see 4 to 7 months

b. Suffocation/drowning

c. Falls: fence stairways at top and bottom if there is access to either end

d. Poisoning

e. Burns

f. Motor vehicles

g. Environment

Hospitalization of Infants

Data Base

Reactions to parental separation begin in later months (see Chapter 31, Nursing Care of Toddlers, Hospitalization of Toddlers); reactions to procedures begin later (see Chapter 32, Nursing Care of Preschoolers, Hospitalization of Preschoolers)

Pain, although felt, is not localized; requires appropriate analgesia and sedation for painful procedures

Health Problems That Begin in Infancy and May Persist through Childhood (Nursing care includes care of the infant and child)

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD)

Data Base

Fetal/newborn responses to alcohol consumption during pregnancy

Range of lifelong disorders; fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) most severe form of FASD

Incidence: approximately 0.5 to 2 per 1000 live births

Prevention

Clinical findings

Therapeutic interventions

Nursing Care of Alcohol-Exposed Infants

Planning/Implementation

1. Monitor vital signs

2. Observe for signs of withdrawal

3. Maintain protective environment

4. Institute comfort measures

5. Provide fluid and nutrients

6. Support parents

Chromosomal Aberrations

General Nursing Care of Children with Chromosomal Aberrations

Trisomy 21 (Down Syndrome)

Data Base

Types

Clinical findings

Gastrointestinal Malformations

Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate

Data Base

Incomplete fusion of embryonic structures surrounding primitive oral cavity (cleft lip)

Failure of primary and secondary palatine plates to fuse (cleft palate) (Figure 30-1: Variations in clefts of lip and palate at birth)

Etiology unknown

Occurs with other congenital anomalies

Classification

Related difficulties

Therapeutic intervention

Nursing Care of Children with Cleft Lip/Cleft Palate

Planning/Implementation

1. Preoperative care

2. Postoperative nursing care for cleft lip

3. Postoperative nursing care for cleft palate

4. See Chapter 29, Foundations of Child Health Nursing, Nursing Care Related to Meeting the Needs of the Family of a Child with Special Needs

Nasopharyngeal and Tracheoesophageal Anomalies

Data Base

Failure of esophagus to develop continuous passage to stomach; failure of trachea and esophagus to develop into separate structures

Risk factors: low birth weight; about 50% associated with other anomalies (e.g., vertebral anomalies, imperforate anus, radial and renal dysplasia, limb anomalies, cardiac malformations)

Tracheopharyngeal anomalies

Other associated anomalies

Clinical findings

Therapeutic intervention: surgical repair; one procedure or several, depending on health status and severity of defect

Nursing Care of Children with Nasopharyngeal and Tracheoesophageal Anomalies

Planning/Implementation

1. Preoperative nursing care

2. Postoperative nursing care

Hypertrophic Pyloric Stenosis (HPS)

Data Base

Thickened circular muscle of pylorus; occurs within first weeks of life

Incidence

Clinical findings

Therapeutic intervention: surgical repair

Nursing Care of Children with Hypertrophic Pyloric Stenosis

Intestinal Obstruction

Data Base

Congenital life-threatening obstruction of intestinal tract

Clinical findings

Stay updated, free articles. Join our Telegram channel

Mar 17, 2017 | Posted by in NURSING | Comments Off on Nursing Care of Infants

Full access? Get Clinical Tree

Get Clinical Tree app for offline access