Clinical validation of the nursing diagnosis risk for disturbed maternal–fetal dyad in high-risk pregnancy: A case–control study

Purpose

To obtain evidence of the clinical validity of the nursing diagnosis (ND) risk for disturbed maternal–fetal dyad in high-risk pregnancy.

Method

Causal validation of the ND through a case–control study performed in a university hospital with 155 high-risk pregnant women: 31 cases and 124 controls. A causal association was found between the ND etiological factors and the occurrence of disruption of the symbiotic maternal–fetal dyad; an association was verified when the etiological factor presented a p-value <0.05 and odds ratio >1.

Findings

The risk factor absent–inadequate prenatal care; populations at risk, such as young-advanced maternal age and economically disadvantaged pregnant women; and association conditions, such as maternal conditions and compromised fetal oxygen transport, increased the outcome likelihood. The associated condition maternal illnesses appeared as a protective factor.

Conclusions

Evidence of clinical validity of the ND risk for disturbed maternal–fetal dyad was obtained, and an association between etiological factors and disruption of the symbiotic maternal–fetal dyad was found.

Implications for nursing practice

The results contribute to advance scientific knowledge in nursing teaching, research, and practice and support the nursing process in high-risk pregnancies.