Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing

Assessment of Gestational Age using New Ballard Examination in High-Risk Infants: Young Mee Ahn, Sang Mi Lee; Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing 2002;32(2):176-185. Published online March 29, 2017; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.2002.32.2.176

Abstract PDF: PURPOSE: Knowing the accurate GA is critical in nursing care of high-risk newborns. A descriptive study was performed to examine the reliability and clinical applicability of the new Ballard examination (NBE) in high-risk infants. METHOD: A NBE was performed to measure GA by assessing the neuromuscular and physical maturity in the course of physical examination of a convenient sample of 50 high-risk infants. RESULTS: 1) There was a highly correlation between both the GA by LMP (GA-LMP) and GA by NBE (GA-NBE) (r = .894, p = .000) 2) There was a greater positive relationship in neuromuscular maturity than physical maturity in the GA-NBE of the high-risk newborn (r = .657 versus r = .915, p<. 05). 3) The high-risk infants were thoes with congenital anomalies, prematurity, and RDS(Respiratory Distress Syndrome). Male infants showed a higher neuromuscular maturity, compared to female infants. 4) There was a positive correlation between neuromuscular, physical, total maturity, GA-LMP and GA-NBE in the birth weight, 1 minute Apgar score. CONCLUSION: The study supports the reliability an clinical relevance of NBE in assessment of the accurate GA in high-risk infants.

Breast Feeding Rates and Factors Influencing Breast Feeding Practice in Late Preterm Infants: Comparison with Preterm Born at Less than 34 Weeks of Gestational Age: Gun Ja Jang, Sang Lak Lee, Hyeon Mi Kim; J Korean Acad Nurs 2012;42(2):181-189. Published online April 30, 2012; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.2012.42.2.181

Abstract PDF: Purpose
This study was done to compare breast feeding rates and factors influencing feeding practice between late preterm (34≤GA<37) and preterm infants (GA<34).
Methods
A survey was done of 207 late preterm and 117 preterm infants in neonatal intensive care units (NICU) of 4 university hospitals in D city. Data were collected from July 2009 to June 2010 from 324 medical records in the NICU. Breast-feeding at home was checked either by telephone survey or questioning during hospital visits.
Results
Rate of breast feeding for late preterm infants was significantly lower than for preterm infants. There was no significant difference in breast-feeding at home. We found differences in factors influencing breast feeding between the two groups. Factors influencing feeding for late preterm infants were type of delivery, mothers' occupation, feeding type during hospitalization, time elapse from hospital discharge, total admission days, infant's body weight at first feeding and length of NPO (nothing by mouth). Factors influencing feeding for preterm infants were birth order, maternal disease and obstetric complications, and one-minute Apgar score.
Conclusion
Results of the study show low rates of breast-feeding for late preterm infants indicating a need for breast-feeding education for mothers of these infants.

Growth Patterns of Premature Infants Up to 40th Term Week of Corrected Age: Youngmee Ahn, Min Sohn, Sangmi Lee; J Korean Acad Nurs 2011;41(5):613-622. Published online October 31, 2011; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.2011.41.5.613

Abstract PDF: Purpose
Study purpose were to describe growth patterns of premature infants in weight, length and head circumference from birth to 40th week of corrected ages (CA) and to explore factors affecting patterns.
Methods
A longitudinal descriptive study was conducted with 267 premature infants. They were categorized into 2 groups; GA group with measurements at birth and the CA group with measurements at CA, which was categorized into 3 groups (group 1-3) by WHO guideline for gestational age (GA) at birth.
Results
GA group presented greater measures in all than CA group at same week of life. Among CA groups, group 3 showed the highest measurements, up to 37 weeks of life, though this disappeared at 38-40 weeks. Reversely, group 1 revealed the highest growth rates in all measures, followed by group 2 and group 3. Significant interaction was observed in all measures between week of life and any type of groups.
Conclusion
Higher measures in GA group, as well group 3 among CA groups, supported the superiority of intra-uterine environment overriding quality of regimen from NICU. Regardless of growth acceleration, smaller infants remain smaller, indicating that intra-uterine thrifty phenotype may continue at least up to the 40th week of CA.

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