THE RELEVANCE OF THE FAMILY IN THE REHABILITATION OF PREMATURE INFANTS IN THE NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE UNIT

Abstract

Prematurity refers to birth before 37 weeks of gestation and is associated with factors such as infections and gestational complications. In the neonatal ICU, family involvement is essential for the baby's development and recovery, promoting emotional bonding and safety. However, parents face emotional challenges, excessive information and hospital restrictions, which hinder their active participation. The nurse, as a link between the team and the family, plays a fundamental role in facilitating communication, collaborative care and continuous support. This study aims to investigate the importance of family participation in the rehabilitation process of premature infants in the neonatal ICU. To this end, a literature review was carried out with the selection of 15 articles for analysis. The results show that family-centered care favors the well-being of premature infants and strengthens bonds through effective communication, continuous education and emotional support. Parental participation, encouraged by nursing, improves clinical outcomes and family satisfaction. However, challenges such as a complex hospital environment, structural limitations, institutional barriers and socioeconomic difficulties still restrict this participation. Therefore, it is essential to promote strategies that effectively integrate the family into care, increasing the humanization and quality of neonatal care.