Antenatal optimisation for preterm infants less than 34 weeks: a quality improvement toolkit

The British Association of Perinatal Medicine (BAPM) and the National Neonatal Audit Programme (NNAP) are collaborating on four quality improvement toolkits to support perinatal staff to implement the evidence around perinatal optimisation. This article presents the Antenatal Optimisation Toolkit. The evidence for key interventions is described alongside a quality improvement journey, which supports staff to choose improvement solutions most suitable for the local context.

Lauren Shaw
Neonatal Grid Trainee, East Deanery, Scotland

Julie-Clare Becher
Lead for Quality, BAPM and Consultant Neonatologist, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh,
julie-clare.becher@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk

On behalf of the BAPM Antenatal Optimisation Toolkit Group

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Keywords

infant massage; weight gain; breastfeeding frequency; neonatal jaundice; hyperbilirubinaemia

Key points

Maternally administered massage promotes increased frequency of breastfeeding and weight gain in term infants.
An interactive behavioural cues-based massage programme can decrease the rate of hospital readmission due to neonatal hyperbilirubinemia.

Also published in Infant:

VOLUME 14/ISSUE 5, SEPTEMBER 2018

Maternally-administered massage and weight gain in preterm and low birthweight infants: a systematic review

Early tactile experiences have long-term effects on preterm infants’ sensory performance. Weight gain is key to infant development; while research confirms that massage impacts positively on weight gain in this population, most of the literature focuses on massage administered by health professionals/researchers. This review aims to examine whether massage provided by an infant’s mother impacts on weight gain in preterm and/or low birthweight infants.