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A Concept Analysis of Premature Infant Growth Failure
Author(s) -
Schehr Lindsay
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.31.1_supplement.960.1
Subject(s) - premature newborn , growth chart , medicine , percentile , infant mortality , pediatrics , intensive care medicine , environmental health , population , mathematics , statistics
Objective To present a concept analysis on premature infant growth failure. Background Controversy continues among health care providers regarding optimal premature infant growth. Varying definitions of premature infant growth failure in the literature have prevented comparison of research results and have contributed to unclear clinical guidelines for optimal premature infant growth. Methods Walker and Avant's (2011) method for concept analysis. Findings Identification of all uses of the concept, attributes, antecedents, consequences, and empirical referents led to an operational definition of premature infant growth failure. The proposed operational definition of premature infant growth failure is suboptimal growth with weight less than the 10 th percentile for postmenstrual age on a standard intrauterine growth chart at discharge from the NICU caused by excessive energy expenditure and insufficient nutritional support. Conclusions Premature infant growth failure as a concept is not merely poor weight gain. Premature infant growth failure is a multifaceted concept as revealed in the diversity of the literature and concept analysis. The proposed operational definition of premature infant growth failure will promote a unified use of the concept in theoretical construction, research, and clinical practice. Support or Funding Information I have no research support or funding to disclose.