SYSTEMATIC REVIEW PROTOCOL The perception of partnershi p between parents of premature infants and nurses in neonatal intensive care units: a systematic review protocol

W orldwide, an estimated 15 million infants are born too early every year. The number of infants born prematurely has been increasing internationally during the last 10 years, and, fortunately, the progression of medical technology has optimized the survival of extremely preterm infants. Preterm is defined as infants born alive before 37 weeks of pregnancy are completed. There are subcategories of preterm birth based on gestational age: extremely preterm (<28 weeks), very preterm (28 to <32 weeks) and moderate-to-late preterm (32 to <37 weeks). All infants in need of medical treatment are admitted to neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). Both infants and their families are considered as being in need of care during their admission. The infants need medical treatment, while the parents need support in handling their full range of emotions, as while feeling happiness after giving birth to a living baby they may also experience constant fear for the infant, his/her survival and later complications or handicaps.