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The Growth and Development Unit. A proposed approach for enhancing infant neurodevelopment and family-centered care in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Journal of Perinatology volume 39, pages 1684–1687 (2019)Cite this article

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Abstract

There is growing evidence that the neurosensory and social environment of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) has lasting effects on the neurodevelopment of the high-risk hospitalized infant. Thus, many NICUs are transitioning from traditional, medical healing approaches to enhanced family-centered developmental care approaches with the aim of improving infant outcomes and parental mental health. This commentary describes a transdisciplinary neurodevelopmental program based on key principles and recommendations from current and evolving evidence-based care practice guidelines. This clinical initiative, known as the Growth and Development Unit (GDU), was developed within the context of a 66-bed level III NICU. The process of program inception, key elements of program development, as well as program strengths and challenges are discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA

    Carmina Erdei, Terrie E. Inder, Pamela Dodrill & Lianne J. Woodward

  2. Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA

    Carmina Erdei, Terrie E. Inder, Pamela Dodrill & Lianne J. Woodward

  3. School of Health Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand

    Lianne J. Woodward

Authors
  1. Carmina Erdei
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  2. Terrie E. Inder
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  3. Pamela Dodrill
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  4. Lianne J. Woodward
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Correspondence to Carmina Erdei.

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Erdei, C., Inder, T.E., Dodrill, P. et al. The Growth and Development Unit. A proposed approach for enhancing infant neurodevelopment and family-centered care in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. J Perinatol 39, 1684–1687 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41372-019-0514-7

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