Application of the Adverse Childhood Experiences Framework to the NICU

Authors

Kathryn J. Malin
Dorothy Vittner
Umber Darilek
Kelly McGlothen-Bell
Allison Crawford
Rebecca Koerner
Britt Frisk Pados
Diana Cartagena
Jacqueline M. McGrath
Ashlee J. Vance, Henry Ford HealthFollow

Recommended Citation

Malin KJ, Vittner D, Darilek U, McGlothen-Bell K, Crawford A, Koerner R, Pados BF, Cartagena D, McGrath JM, and Vance AJ. Application of the Adverse Childhood Experiences Framework to the NICU. Adv Neonatal Care 2023.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2-1-2024

Publication Title

Advances in neonatal care

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Infants and families requiring neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) care often experience significant stress and trauma during the earliest period of the infant's life, leading to increased risks for poorer infant and family outcomes. There is a need for frameworks to guide clinical care and research that account for the complex interactions of generational stress, pain, toxic stress, parental separation, and lifelong health and developmental outcomes for infants and families.

PURPOSE: Apply the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) framework in the context of the NICU as a usable structure to guide clinical practice and research focused on infant neurodevelopment outcomes and parental attachment.

METHODS: An overview of ACEs is provided along with a detailed discussion of risk at each level of the ACEs pyramid in the context of the NICU. Supportive and protective factors to help mitigate the risk of the ACEs in the NICU are detailed.

RESULTS: NICU hospitalization may be considered the first ACE, or potentially an additional ACE, resulting in an increased risk for poorer health outcomes. The promotion of safe, stable, and nurturing relationships and implementation of trauma-informed care and individualized developmental care potentially counter the negative impacts of stress in the NICU.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE AND RESEARCH: Nurses can help balance the negative and positive stimulation of the NICU through activities such as facilitated tucking, skin-to-skin care, mother's milk, and active participation of parents in infant care. Future research can consider using the ACEs framework to explain cumulative risk for adverse health and well-being in the context of NICU care.

Medical Subject Headings

Infant, Newborn; Infant; Child; Humans; Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; Adverse Childhood Experiences; Parents; Infant Care

PubMed ID

38061194

ePublication

ePub ahead of print

Volume

24

Issue

1

First Page

4

Last Page

13