Physical, Perceptual, Socio-Relational, and Affective Skills of Five-Year-Old Children Born Preterm and Full-Term According to Their Body Mass Index

The main purpose of this study was to compare the psychomotor development of five-year-old children born preterm and full term. The comparison included physical-motor, perceptual-motor, and socio-relational and affective skills. As low weight is one of the variables that most influences the psychomotor development of premature infants, a secondary aim was to analyze these skills according to their current body mass index (BMI). A prospective simple ex-post facto study was conducted. The sample consisted of 672 five-year-old children enrolled in the third year of early childhood education in the province of Albacete, Spain; 35 of them was born prematurely. Children were evaluated by their teachers using the Checklist of Psychomotor Activities (CPA). The results show that children born preterm had a lower development of their physical-motor skills. In the perceptual-motor field, premature children showed lower scores in the variables related to their body image and body schema, motor dissociation, and visual-motor coordination, as well as in socio-relational and affective aspects. However, the development in laterality, dynamic coordination, motor execution, tonic-postural control, and balance were not affected. These differences were not affected by the current weight, given that the analysis of the BMI indicated no differences in preterm children. This study demonstrated the need to establish protocols oriented to the prevention of the difficulties detected in children with psychomotor high-risk and the needs to reinforce the educational programs in this area to improve the integral development of children born preterm.

Parental Engagement and Early Interactions With Preterm Infants Reduce Risk of Late Postpartum Depression

Recent studies have shown that preterm delivery is a risk factor for the development of postpartum depression, which not only impairs maternal-infant interactions, leading to infant developmental delay and social interaction difficulties in affected children, but also increases the risk of depression in the mother. Hence, this article aims to study the effects of parental engagement and early interactions with preterm infants on subsequent infant development and behavior, maternal adjustment, and mother-infant relationship. A total of 151 infants/mothers were enrolled in our study. Infants were randomized either to receive early parent interaction or standard care. The early parent interaction program was performed in addition to routine standard of care, Kangaroo Mother Care, during the neonatal intensive care unit stay based on PremieStart Protocol. The behavioral competencies of preterm infants were assessed, as were their mothers' adjustment (depression and coping) and competencies (knowledge of child development). At 12 months of postnatal age, child competencies (development and behavior) were assessed, together with maternal adjustment (parenting stress and depression). Mother-infant interaction was also observed. Early parent interaction did not alter early or later infant development. Furthermore, early parent interaction did not alter early maternal adjustment or late mother-infant relationship, but it reduced the risk of late postpartum depression. Taken together, these studies provide a strong basis for interventions that support parents in the parenting role and guide parents in developmentally appropriate interactions with their preterm babies. These interventions have the potential to lessen the adverse impact of preterm birth on babies and mothers. In addition, the positive benefits of reduced stress can improve parent mental health outcomes and ultimately may further improve parents' relationships with their babies.

Effects of infant massage on state anxiety in mothers of preterm infants prior to hospital discharge

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

This study evaluated the effect of infant massage on anxiety in mothers of preterm infants who discharged from the neonatal intensive care unit.

BACKGROUND

Birth of preterm infants commonly leads to great levels of distress and anxiety in mothers. Although various methods have been suggested to help mothers cope with such stressful conditions, the effects of infant massage have not been adequately studied in mothers.

DESIGN

This was a quasi-experimental clinical trial.

METHODS

Overall, in 70 mothers and their preterm infants who scheduled to be discharged within 24 hours, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory scale (Spielberger) was completed for mothers in both groups in the morning of the day before discharge. The experimental group received eight minutes of massage including two standard similar parts (each part four minutes). The massage was repeated in two parts on the day of discharge, and then, state anxiety was re-measured using Spielberg's scale for all mothers. The control group received no intervention.

RESULTS

The results showed that on the day of discharge, there was a significant difference in the overall mean score of maternal state anxiety between the two groups (p < 0·002), although not in the severity of maternal state anxiety. In both groups, the mean score of maternal state anxiety was significantly decreased on the day of discharge (p < 0·001).

CONCLUSIONS

The findings provide evidence that infant massage by mother has an effect on the state anxiety of mothers of preterm infants, so it is recommended that mothers apply massage for preterm infants to improve their mental health.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

Mothers of preterm infants can promote mental health by continuing massage of their infants at home.

Recommendations for involving the family in developmental care of the NICU baby

Family involvement is a key to realize the potential for long-lasting positive effects on physical, cognitive and psychosocial development of all babies, including those in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Family-centered developmental care (FCDC) recognizes the family as vital members of the NICU health-care team. As such, families are integrated into decision-making processes and are collaborators in their baby's care. Through standardized use of FCDC principles in the NICU, a foundation is constructed to enhance the family's lifelong relationship with their child and optimize development of the baby. Recommendations are made for supporting parental roles as caregivers of their babies in the NICU, supporting NICU staff participation in FCDC and creating NICU policies that support this type of care. These recommendations are designed to meet the basic human needs of all babies, the special needs of hospitalized babies and the needs of families who are coping with the crisis of having a baby in the NICU.