Refining Neurobehavioral Assessment of the High-Risk Infant Using the NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale

Mary C Sullivan; Robin J Miller; Lynne Andreozzi Fontaine; Barry Lester

doi:10.1111/j.1552-6909.2011.01322.x

Refining Neurobehavioral Assessment of the High-Risk Infant Using the NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale

J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs. 2012 Jan;41(1):17-23. doi: 10.1111/j.1552-6909.2011.01322.x.

Authors

Mary C Sullivan¹, Robin J Miller², Lynne Andreozzi Fontaine³, Barry Lester⁴

Affiliations

¹ professor in the College of Nursing, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI and a research scientist at the Brown Center for Children at Risk, Women & Infants Hospital, Providence, RI.. Electronic address: MCSullivan@ds.uri.edu.
² research scientist at the Brown Center for Children at Risk, Women & Infants Hospital, Providence, RI.
³ professor in the Department of Psychology, Community College of Rhode Island and a research scientist at the Brown Center for Children at Risk, Women & Infants Hospital, Providence, RI.
⁴ Barry Lester, PhD, is a professor of psychiatry and human behavior and professor of pediatrics in the Alpert Medical School, Brown University and director of the Brown Center for the Study of Children at Risk, Women & Infants Hospital, Providence, RI.

PMID: 22834719
DOI: 10.1111/j.1552-6909.2011.01322.x

Abstract

Nurses caring for high-risk infants use advanced assessment skills to identify the nature of infant instability and to assure timely intervention. The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale (NNNS) is a comprehensive assessment of neurological integrity and behavioral function of infants at risk. Research evidence supports its validity and reliability for clinical and research use. The NNNS offers nurses a neurobehavioral assessment especially suited to high-risk and premature infants.

MeSH terms

Child Behavior Disorders / diagnosis*
Child Behavior Disorders / nursing
Child Development
Developmental Disabilities / diagnosis*
Developmental Disabilities / nursing
Female
Humans
Infant Behavior / physiology
Infant, Newborn
Infant, Premature
Infant, Premature, Diseases / diagnosis*
Infant, Premature, Diseases / nursing
Intensive Care Units, Neonatal
Intensive Care, Neonatal / methods*
Male
Neurologic Examination* / methods
Neurologic Examination* / nursing
Predictive Value of Tests
Pregnancy
Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / diagnosis*
Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / nursing
Psychomotor Disorders / diagnosis*
Psychomotor Disorders / nursing
Reproducibility of Results
Risk Factors
Weights and Measures