Incluindo o psíquico em uma uti neonatal: quando o cuidado com o bebê prematuro se faz pela presença

Abstract

The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is considered a critical area, where patients who were born prematurely or with some serious condition are admitted. Born before the time, premature babies have specificities and cannot be observed as full-term newborns, thus, to improve their physical and mental development, it is important to intervene as early as possible. Taking that into consideration, this study aimed to understand which aspects should be observed in premature babies admitted to the NICU regarding their psychological development and which interventions become necessary, taking early intervention as a reference. A descriptive study, with qualitative approach, was carried out in a public maternity hospital with high fetal risk, in the city of Rio de Janeiro. Two focus groups were held with 8 professionals, one representative from each professional category working on the NICU. The data was analyzed through content analysis, in thematic modality, according to Gomes (2016). Three categories were identified and discussed: (1) Introducing the subject: the importance of communicating with the babies admitted to the NICU; (2) What’s already done that has an effect? Professionals' perception of the subjective impact of hospitalization on the development of babies and the early intervention that happens informally; and (3) Proposing new dialogues: the repercussions of the focus group on the reflection and practice of professionals. In the end, an instrument for assessing the psychological risk of premature babies admitted to a NICU was proposed, articulating what is exposed in the literature with the knowledge discussed in the focus groups.