A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW ON FAMILY-CENTERED CARE IN NEO NATAL INTENSIVE CARE UNITS: CLINICAL OUTCOMES AND METHODOLOGICAL CONCEPTS

Authors: Dr Virender Verma*, Dr. Ashish Varma, Dr Amar Taksande, Dr Somashekhar Nimbalkar, Dr Utkarsh Sharma, Dr Vishal Kaushik

Publication Date: 2026/06/17

DOI: 10.59551/DOI: 10.59551/IJHMP/25832069/2026.7.1.138

Abstract

<p>Abstract Background: The birth of a premature baby is a very difficult time for parents. Admission of a sick baby in NICU brings a lot of tension and trauma. Family-Centered Care (FCC) is a new method of care where doctors and nurses work together with the family.</p> <p>Objective: This systematic review aims to look into the clinical and mental benefits of FCC for high-risk neonates. It also discuss about the barriers in implementing FCC and the statistical methods used to evaluate these studies.</p> <p>Methods: A review of studies focusing strictly on FCC in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) was done. Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) studies were removed. The quality of trials was checked using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. We also looked at how researchers measure statistical heterogeneity in meta-analysis.</p> <p>Results: Results: FCC programms as well as Family Integrated Care (FICare) significant y improve the health of newborns. A forest plot made from the data shows that FCC strongly increases the chances of exclusive breastfeeding at discharge. Babies also gain weight faster and go home earlier. For the parents, it reduces their stress and anxiety. But there is many challenges. Poor hospital buildings, lack of resources, and traditional mindsets of the staffs act as barriers. Also, in assessing these studies, many researchers use I2 and p-values incorrectly to measure heterogeneity.</p> <p>Conclusion: FCC is a very important model that helps both the baby and the parents. Hospitals must train their staffs and change policies to welcome parents. Future research must use prediction intervals instead of $I^2$ to report how much the effects of FCC vary across different hospitals.</p> <p>KEYWORDS: Family-Centered Care (FCC), Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Family Integrated Care (FICare), Exclusive Breastfeeding, Neurodevelopmental Outcomes, Parental Mental Health, and Meta-analysis Heterogeneity.</p>

References

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