Journal of Perinatal, Pediatric and Neonatal Nursing

Patau Syndrome (Trisomy 13): A Rare Case Report of Long-Term Survival in Mosaicism

Sain Priya, Saima Rasheed, Poonam Bhullar — Mon, 12 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Patau syndrome, also known as trisomy 13, is a rare and severe chromosomal disorder caused by the presence of an extra copy of chromosome 13. It is associated with multiple congenital anomalies, profound developmental impairment, and a high rate of neonatal and infant mortality, with survival beyond the first year of life being uncommon.

Case Presentation: This case report describes a rare instance of long-term survival in a 17-year-old female diagnosed with mosaic Patau syndrome during infancy. The patient was born at term to non-consanguineous parents and presented with multiple congenital anomalies, including microcephaly, bilateral cleft lip and palate, microphthalmia, polydactyly, and congenital cardiac defects. The patient clinical course was complicated by feeding difficulties, recurrent respiratory infections, seizure disorder, and profound global developmental delay. Cytogenetic evaluation confirmed mosaic trisomy 13, with approximately 40% of cells exhibiting the additional chromosome.

Nursing Interventions: Nursing care focused on comprehensive, long-term supportive management, including nutritional support, seizure monitoring, prevention of respiratory complications, assistance with mobility and positioning, hygiene care, and continuous family education and counselling. Coordination with multidisciplinary teams ensured continuity of care and monitoring of associated complications.

Outcome: With sustained multidisciplinary medical care and consistent nursing support, the patient achieved prolonged survival into adolescence, despite severe physical and cognitive limitations.

Conclusion: This case highlights the phenotypic variability of mosaic Patau syndrome and underscores the critical role of individualised nursing care and multidisciplinary management in improving quality of life and supporting long-term survival in this rare genetic condition

Effect of Immersive Virtual Reality on Anxiety Among School-Age Children During Vein Puncture

Manikandan V, Gaoudam N — Fri, 23 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Introduction: Venipuncture is a frequently performed invasive procedure that commonly leads to pain and emotional discomfort in children. The experience of pain is personal and subjective, influenced by emotional responses, physical status, cognitive understanding, and socio-cultural background. Distraction strategies help minimize procedural distress by shifting the child’s focus away from the painful stimulus, thereby decreasing anxiety and stress during invasive interventions. The study aimed to determine the level of anxiety experienced by school-age children during venipuncture.

Methodology: A quantitative research approach was employed using a pre-experimental one-group pretest–posttest design. Sixty school-age children were selected through a purposive sampling technique. Data collection tools included a structured demographic questionnaire and the Three-Faces Facial Affective Scale (FAS) to measure anxiety levels during venipuncture. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical techniques.

Results: The results showed that the mean anxiety score with standard deviation during the pretest (24.6 ± 4.8) was higher compared to the post-test mean score (15.2± 3.9). The computed t-value (t = 11.62) at p < 0.001 indicated a statistically highly significant reduction in anxiety following the intervention.

Conclusion: The study concluded that immersive virtual reality is a practical, effective, and well-accepted non-pharmacological intervention for reducing anxiety associated with venipuncture among school-age children.

Safety Networks in Childhood: Their Importance in Protection, Prevention, and Emotional Support

Bruelin Melshia M, Sheeba Chellappan — Fri, 13 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Child safety is a critical concern that extends far beyond physical protection. In an era marked by digital exposure, complex social interactions, and growing emotional challenges, children need robust systems of support that empower them to recognize risks, express their feelings, and seek timely help. One such system is the safety network a carefully identified group of trusted adults and peers with whom a child can share concerns, fears, or uncomfortable experiences, and all that they feel. Additionally, the article offers a detailed guide on how to adapt the concept of a safety network according to different developmental stages. Practical tips such as safety charts, role-playing, and regular check-ins are also discussed to make implementation easier for parents and educators. Ultimately, the safety network is positioned not just as a protective strategy but as a foundational tool for resilience, giving children the confidence to speak up and the assurance that they are never alone.

Prenatal Determinants of Growth and Development: A Comprehensive Analysis

Catherin Narmadha, Aparna Paul, Shiny Mathew — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Fetal growth and development occur through many complex biological processes, all impacted by numerous prenatal factors during pregnancy. Disturbances to the intrauterine environment can affect not only outcomes of neonatal care but also childhood development, as well as an increased risk of disease during adulthood. Through this article, they provide a synthesis of scientific studies, standard texts, and peer-reviewed articles that highlight some of the major factors affecting fetal development. Key areas of examination include, but are not limited to: maternal nutrition, infections, substance exposure, medical conditions of the mother, hormonal regulation, placental function, environmental exposures, genetic factors, maternal age, and multiple pregnancies. Adequate maternal nutrition will help ensure that the organs and brain of the developing fetus will develop properly. In addition, exposure to harmful agents can limit the effectiveness of the placenta. Understanding these factors is foundational to identifying high-risk mothers, creating preventive strategies, and improving antenatal care.

Nursing on Pins: The Consequences of Nurses’ Actions in the Wake of Compassion Fatigue at the Paediatric Unit of a Teaching Hospital in Ghana

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This study intends to focus on the effects or consequences that result from the worsening or endurance of compassion fatigue over time, leading to serious reactions that compromise the nurses’ ability to interact in positive and helpful ways with patients and families. Hence, the concept of nursing on pins signifies the defiance nurses exhibit in providing compassionate care despite being in a state of compassion fatigue and regardless of the consequential healthcare outcomes. Compassion fatigue, marked by emotional exhaustion and reduced empathy, poses significant risks to both caregiver well-being and patient outcomes, particularly in high-stress environments like paediatric care units. This study explores the lived experiences of paediatric nurses grappling with compassion fatigue as a consequence of their actions at a major teaching hospital in Ghana. A qualitative study based on hermeneutic interpretive phenomenology paradigm analysis framework (IPA), following Van Manen’s model, was used, emphasising the conscious experiences of the nurses on the meaning they ascribe to human reality, such as human judgment, perceptions and actions. A sample size of 10 nurses was used, and data gathering employed a non-probability purposive sampling, using the linear snowballing method. Key findings reveal emotional detachment, moral distress, compromised patient care, institutional silence, and resilience strategies. The study underscores the need for systemic interventions to support nurses and safeguard paediatric care quality.