Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Approaches to Premature Infants in Neonatal Intensive Care Units

Abstract

In addition to medical care and intervention, physiotherapy and rehabilitation practices are used for the health of premature babies in the neonatal intensive care unit. Thus, it is aimed to reach physiological stability of the premature baby, to maintain growth and development, to minimize the risk of complications due to preterm birth, and to support neuromotor and behavioral development. As a member of the interdisciplinary team in the neonatal intensive care unit, the neonatal physiotherapist plays an active role in family education and environmental regulations, as well as planning the physiotherapy program that includes pulmonary and neuromuscular physiotherapy applications customized according to the gestational age and needs of the baby. With physiotherapy approaches, the health of the premature baby is supported in terms of neuromotor and behavioral development, while contributing to parent-infant attachment. In this review, physiotherapy and rehabilitation approaches applied to premature babies in the neonatal intensive care unit are described.