The effects of an early developmental mother–child intervention program on neurodevelopment outcome in very low birth weight infants: A pilot study

• Published in: Early human development Vol. 82; no. 10; pp. 691 - 695
• Main Authors: Gianní, M.L., Picciolini, O., Ravasi, M., Gardon, L., Vegni, C., Fumagalli, M., Mosca, F.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Lausanne Elsevier Ireland Ltd 01.10.2006; New York,NY Elsevier; Amsterdam
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Central Nervous System - growth & development; Child Development - physiology; Child, Preschool; Early Intervention (Education) - methods; Embryology: invertebrates and vertebrates. Teratology; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Infant, Very Low Birth Weight - growth & development; Intelligence Tests; Learning Disorders - prevention & control; Male; Mother-Child Relations; Mothers - psychology; Mother–infant intervention; Neurodevelopment outcome; Outcome Assessment (Health Care); Pilot Projects; Very low birth weight infants; Mother–infant intervention; Neurodevelopment outcome; Very low birth weight infants; Human; Premature; Pregnancy disorders; Infant; Mother-Infant intervention; Very low birthweight; Newborn diseases; Prematurity; Mother; Development; Early; Child
• ISSN: 0378-3782; 1872-6232
• DOI: 10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2006.01.011

Several studies report increased minor neurodevelopment dysfunctions in children born very low birth weight (VLBW). Usefulness of preventive early intervention programs to improve neurodevelopment outcome of VLBW infants is still under investigation. To evaluate the effects of an early post-discharge developmental mother–child intervention program on neurodevelopment outcome at 36 months in VLBW infants. Prospective study. 36 VLBW infants ([mean (S.D.)] birthweight = 864 g (204 g); gestational age = 27.9 weeks (2.4 weeks)), consecutively born January–August 2001, randomized in intervention and control groups. Neurodevelopment assessment at 36 months of chronological age with use of the Griffiths Mental Development Scale and related subscales. At 36 months of chronological age, as compared to controls, children in intervention group exhibited higher scores in personal–social subscales ([mean (S.D.)] = 101.4 (9.3) vs. 92.9 (12.1), P = 0.02), eye–hand coordination (92.7 (4.5) vs. 87.1 (9.9), P = 0.041), practical reasoning (98.6 (8.2) vs. 89.4 (10.1), P = 0.01). Development Scale were 97.6 (5.5) and 92.4 (9.9), respectively, in intervention and control groups ( P = 0.074). Early post-discharge developmental mother–child intervention program may have a positive effect on later neurodevelopment outcome of VLBW children.