A influência do posicionamento em Hammock no desenvolvimento neuromotor de recém-nascidos pré-termo.

Abstract

Due to advances in Neonatology in the last years, the average survival of pre-term new-born babies has increased, with the consequent increase of sequaelas manifested throughout their neuromotor development. Thus, it becomes necessary to carry out some studies that may clarify the influence of new positioning techniques in the neuromotor development of these newborn babies, such as the Hammock positioning. This study, a descriptive, prospective study, aims at analyzing the effects that are gained by the Hammock positioning, related to the neuromotor development of the pre-term new-born babies. Data was collected during a period of four consecutive months, by means of a clinical questionnaire, which approached aspects related to birth and hospitalization of the pre-term new-born babies, as well as the Dubowitz Neonatal Neurobehavioral Exam, an instrument used in full term and pre-term babies during the neonatal period, which assesses their neurobehavioral characteristics. Later they were submitted to statistical analysis, using simple frequency and relative frequency. The population consisted of all the pre-term new-born babies that fulfilled the inclusion criteria, reaching a total of four new-born babies. The results were positive in all the items analyzed by the Dubowitz Neonatal Neurobehavioral Exam, with at least 75% of the population showing positive results in the analysis of each item. In 11 items of the Exam, the results were positive in 100% of the population, and in four items, the results were positive in 75% of the population, totalizing 15 items analyzed by the Exam. We reached the conclusion that the Hammock positioning influenced positively the neuromotor development of the pre-term new-born babies in the characteristics analyzed, encouraging the development of the flexor posture, and leading to symmetry and self-organization of the new-born babies, with no negative repercussions related to important alterations of the vital signs or the professional care given to them. The results of this study may contribute to the incorporation of the Hammock positioning as a new sensory-motor experience for pre-term new-born babies that need to stay for a long period in the hospital bed.