Effect of Nesting on Physiological Parameters and Neurobehavioral Patterns of Preterm Babies

Background: Preterm birth is the most important general health problem all over the world that is associated with neonatal mortality, morbidity and disability. As stated by World Health Organization babies are born before completion of 37 weeks of pregnancy or less than two hundred fifty - nine days of pregnancy that starts from the last menstrual period of a woman. Normally, a pregnancy lasts about 40 weeks. Aims: To assess the effectiveness of Nesting on biophysiological parameters and neurobehavioral patterns of preterm babies. Methodology: Quantitative research approach was adopted. Total 35 preterm babies were selected from NICU of Himalayan Hospital, Jolly grant, Dehradun, through purposive sampling technique. Data was collected by administrating the tools to the participants. Tools consist of socio - demographic profile, observational checklist for biophysiological parameters and neurobehavioral patterns. Nesting was provided to the preterm babies for 12 hours per day continuously for 7 days. The data was analyzed by using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: The results revealed that after Nesting, the mean post interventional biophysiological parameters were stable, as compared to pre - interventional parameters and also increase the post interventional neurobehavioral patterns as compared to pre - interventional of preterm babies. Conclusion: The study concluded that Nesting helps in maintaining and stabilizing biophysiological parameters within the normal ranges and improves the neurobehavioral patterns (Reflexes) of preterm babies. Nesting also promoted the posture, sleep, early breastfeeding initiation and early discharge in newborns.