Aim: This study was conducted to determine the effect of nursing care practices on the Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) levels of premature infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

Materials and Method: This is a cross-sectional, analytical study. It was conducted over the period March 1 - April 26, 2019 in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of Eskişehir Osmangazi University (ESOGU) Health Practices and Research Hospital. We did not calculate sample size, but included in the study, after the parents had been informed about the research, the entire universe of neonates in the NICU who matched the inclusion criteria during the period March 1 - April 26, 2019. The study was completed with 40 neonates. Data collection was performed with a "Descriptive Data Form," and a "Procedures Performed Chart." The data were evaluated with the IBM SPSS 24 package program.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Neonates younger than a gestational age of 37 weeks
• Those monitored in an open or closed incubator

Exclusion Criteria:

• Intubated neonates connected to a mechanical ventilator
• Infants of a gestational age of 37 weeks or more
• Infants under sedation
• Infants with neurological illness (e.g., hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, hydrocdphalus)

40 premature newborns