NMHS20690 The Newborn Infant

Academic Year 2022/2023

The aim of this module is to develop student understanding of the role of the midwife in the provision of evidence-based, family-integrated care of the healthy, term gestation neonate. The student will acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to evaluate neonatal well-being via the physical, psychological, and social assessment of the neonate. The student will develop the understanding and skills necessary to assess, plan, implement, & evaluate the required individualised midwifery care for each infant. The student will be taught to how to assess for and recognise neonatal well-being. The student will learn about how to recognise deviations from the norm and refer to senior midwifery and medical personnel when appropriate.

During four hours of lectures and discussions, the student build upon their knowledge of the research process, and the research methodologies underpinning national and international policies, protocols, procedures and guidelines regarding neonatal care. By examining key aspects of midwifery care of the neonate, the student will learn the fundamentals of the research process i.e. what is research; the hierarchies of evidence; formulating a research question, correctly describe the research activities to answer a specific research question.

A 1-hour, multiple-choice question end-of-trimester examination will assess student knowledge of neonatal anatomy and physiology. A number of questions on the research processes explored during the module will also be assessed.

A workshop on 'Initial Steps of Newborn Resuscitation' will be assessed (10% of the final module grade; pass/fail). This is a must-pass component.

An end of trimester video assignment worth 50% of the final grade will assess student knowledge and performance of neonatal physical examination and holistic midwifery assessment .

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

● Perform a holistic evaluation of the neonate’s physical, psychological, and social well-being.
● Apply knowledge of neonatal physiology to communicate and provide evidence-based advice, support, and education regarding infant feeding and routine infant care to caregivers.
● Apply knowledge and understanding of transition to extrauterine life to the midwifery care required by the newly born infant. Skills related to this knowledge will be demonstrated in a 'Initial Steps of Resuscitation' workshop.
● Apply knowledge & understanding of normal neonatal physiology to the prevention, identification, and management of the common/minor disorders of the neonate.
● Perform & document appropriately the necessary observations, tests, procedures, and care activities required by the neonate in the maintenance & assurance of their well-being.
● Identify robust sources of midwifery knowledge regarding neonatal health and well-being.
● Describe the research process and various methodologies underpinning published investigations of neonatal health and well-being.

Indicative Module Content:

Genetics & Embryology; Foetal growth and development; Foetal Circulation.
Adaptation to extrauterine life- APGARS and Initial Care & Examination of the Neonate Shortly After Birth. Discuss and practice the initial steps of neonatal resuscitation;
Overview of thermoregulation;
Monitoring and facilitating baby feeding- physiology of the neonatal digestive system, nutritional comparison of breast milk and infant formula; link with metabolic transition to extrauterine life;
Daily assessment, care and examination of the neonate- maintaining a safe environment, baby dentification bracelets, security tagging, safe positioning of the baby; prevention of SIDS; Confirming normal baby behaviour during the first six weeks of life;
Physiological jaundice: discuss the recognition and assessment of physiological jaundice and the role of the midwife in its management and care. Discuss the care of the baby that will commence phototherapy and the advice necessary for parents.
The role of the midwife in identification and care of the baby with common neonatal infections and other minor disorders including umbilical cord, eye infections, mouth and skin, gastro-intestinal and fungal infections;
Newborn Screening tests; Immunisation; Birth Registration; Educating Caregivers;
Facilitating parent-newborn bonding; Evaluating and promoting optimal Infant Mental Health.

Related clinical skills (delivered face-to-face in simulation lab):

Detailed Examination of the Neonate Shortly After Birth;
Midwife's Daily Examination of the Neonate;
Anthropometric measurement (Length and OFC); Oral Examination Skills;
Preparation & administration of IM injections; POCTs- the Newborn Bloodspot Screening Card, Blood Glucose Monitoring;
Neonatal Resuscitation Workshop- Initial Steps of Resuscitation;

Four hours of lectures and recommended activities to examine and evaluate the research methodologies underpinning identified clinical guidelines/journal articles re: neonatal health and well-being.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

26

Practical

6

Specified Learning Activities

10

Autonomous Student Learning

81

Online Learning

2

Total

125

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
online lectures; online skills/simulation workshops; reflection activities; clinical skills labs- simulation & role-play; enquiry & problem-based learning within Brightspace activities; case-study review learning; group discussions; breakout groups 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Examination: A 1-hour MCQ. 1 hour End of Trimester Exam No Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No

40

Practical Examination: An Objective Structured Clinical Examination.
Student selects one of two care scenarios to demonstrate in a one-take video recording that is uploaded by the student to Brightspace for grading.
Coursework (End of Trimester) n/a Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No

50

Practical Examination: The students skills demonstrated during the 'initial steps of neonatal resuscitation' workshop are graded in an OSCE-type, pass/fail assessment. Week 12 n/a Pass/Fail Grade Scale Yes

10


Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Online automated feedback
• Self-assessment activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback on the class presentation will be provided within 20 days. Feedback on the 10% practical examination in Week 12 will be provided continuously during the workshop. Video assignment submission- individual feedback released via Brightspace prior to PERC. Feedback on the MCQ student answered incorrectly will be available upon request.

American Academy of Pediatrics (2020) Neonatal Resuscitation Programme 8th edition.
England C. (2014) Recognising the healthy baby at term through examination & newborn screening- Chapter 28. In Myles Textbook for Midwives 16th edn. (Marshall & Raynor eds.), Pgs. 592-609
England C. (2014) Resuscitation of the healthy baby at birth- Chapter 29. In Myles Textbook for Midwives 16th edn. Pgs. 611-615.
HSE (2018) Term Infant with Neonatal Jaundice on Postnatal Ward. In HSE Newborn Examination Handbook, page 55. Available at: https://www.hse.ie/eng/about/who/healthwellbeing/our-priority-programmes/child-health-and-wellbeing/newborn%20exam.pdf
HSE/Safe Food (2018) Preparing Baby Formula. Available at: https://www2.hse.ie/wellbeing/child-health/preparing-baby-formula/preparing-baby-formula.html
HSE (2018) My Child: 0-2 years. Available at: https://www2.hse.ie/file-library/child-health/my-child-0-to-2-years-book.pdf
HSE (2015) Breastfeeding- A Good Start in Life. An information leaflet on breastfeeding your baby. Available at: https://www.healthpromotion.ie/hp-files/docs/HPM00367.pdf
HSE (2018) A Practical Guide to Newborn Bloodspot Screening in Ireland- 7th edition. Available at: https://www.hse.ie/eng/health/child/newbornscreening/newbornbloodspotscreening/information-for-professionals/a-practical-guide-to-newborn-bloodspot-screening-in-ireland.pdf
HSE (2019) National Infant Feeding Policy for Maternity & Neonatal Services. Available at: https://www.hse.ie/file-library/infant-feeding-policy-for-maternity-neonatal-services-2019.pdf
Johnson & Taylor (2016) Assessment of the baby: assessment at birth- Chapter 37. In: Skills for Midwifery Practice 4th edn. Pgs. 292-299.
Lomax A. (2021) Examination of the Newborn, An Evidence-Based Guide, 3rd ed. Wiley Blackwell
McEwan T. (2017) Adaptation to extrauterine life 1: haematological, cardiovascular, respiratory and genitourinary considerations- Chapter 48. In Physiology in Childbearing with Anatomy and Related Biosciences 4th edn. (Rankin J. ed), Ballière Tindall, Edinburgh, P.501-520.
National Institute of Clinical Excellence (2021) Postnatal Care Guideline [NG194]. Available at: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng194
Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (2021) Code of Professional Conduct & Ethics for Registered Nurses & Registered Midwives. Available at: https://www.nmbi.ie/NMBI/media/NMBI/Code-of-Professional-Conduct-and-Ethics.pdf?ext=.pdf
Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (2021) Practice Standards for Midwives.
Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (2015) Scope of Nursing & Midwifery Practice Framework.
Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (2013) UK-WHO 0-4 yr Growth Charts http://www.rcpch.ac.uk/child-health/research-projects/uk-who-growth-charts/uk-who-growth-chart-resources-0-4-years/uk-who-0
Name Role
Dr Deirdre O'Donnell Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Lisa Rogers Lecturer / Co-Lecturer