Signs of Stress | Manage Neonatal Stressors

Recognize the Signs of Stress in Preterm Babies

Check physiological stress signals that may be reflected in respiration rate, heart rate, and oxygen saturation.¹

*All signs of stress may not be described here. These signs may or may not indicate a stressful event.

<100 or >160 beats/min or increase in baseline of ≥5 beats/min⁶

<40 or >60 breaths/min or increase in baseline of ≥7 breaths/min⁶

<90% or a decrease of at least 2.5%¹

Check these behaviors that are significantly correlated with NICU stress.¹

grimace

sucking

salute

sitting on air

finger splay

holding on

yawning

hand-to-mouth

Peng N-H, Bachman J, Jenkins R, et al. Relationships between environmental stressors and stress biobehavioral responses of preterm infants in NICU. J Perinat Neonatal Nurs. 2009;23(4):363-371.