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Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
Published on: August 25, 2014
The Infant Behavioral Assessment and Intervention Program to support preterm infants after hospital discharge: a
Karen Koldewijn1, Marie-Jeanne Wolf, Aleid van Wassenaer
1Department of Rehabilitation, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. k.koldewijn@amc.uva.nl
Insights
The Infant Behavioral Assessment and Intervention Program (IBAIP) shows promise for preterm infants. Intervention group infants exhibited reduced stress and increased approach behaviors at six months, suggesting improved neurobehavioral organization.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal care and development
- Infant behavioral science
Background:
- Preterm infants face neurodevelopmental challenges.
- Early intervention programs are crucial for optimizing outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the feasibility of The Infant Behavioral Assessment and Intervention Program (IBAIP) in preterm infants.
- To compare neurobehavioral organization and self-regulatory competence between an intervention and control group.
Main Methods:
- Pilot study comparing 20 preterm infants receiving IBAIP with 20 controls.
- Intervention involved 6-8 home-based IBAIP sessions from discharge to 6 months.
- Assessments included Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale, Infant Behavioral Assessment (IBA), and Bayley Scales of Infant Development-II.
Main Results:
- At 6 months corrected age, infants in the IBAIP intervention group demonstrated significantly less stress.
- Intervention infants also displayed more approach behaviors on the Infant Behavioral Assessment (IBA).
Conclusions:
- The Infant Behavioral Assessment and Intervention Program (IBAIP) appears feasible and potentially beneficial for preterm infants.
- Further investigation in a randomized controlled trial is warranted.
Abstract:
In this pilot study we investigated the feasibility of The Infant Behavioral Assessment and Intervention Program (IBAIP) in a group of preterm infants. At the age of 6 months, the neurobehavioural organization and self-regulatory competence of an intervention group was compared with a control group who had received the standard follow-up care. The intervention group consisted of 13 males and seven females (mean gestational age [GA] 29.2 weeks, SD 1.3wks; mean birthweight 1232g, SD 320g). The control group consisted of 11 males and nine females (mean GA 29wks, SD 1.6wks; mean birthweight 1198g, SD 397g). Inclusion criteria were: a GA of 32 weeks and family residence in the district of Amsterdam. Exclusion criteria were: severe congenital abnormalities, intraventricular haemorrhage grade III or IV, periventricular leukomalacia grade III or IV, and infants whose mothers had a history of illicit drug use. The intervention infants received 6 to 8 IBAIP interventions at home, from discharge until 6 months of age. The Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale was administered at term; the Infant Behavioral Assessment (IBA) at term, 3, and 6 months of age; and the Bayley Scales of Infant Development-II at 3 and 6 months (corrected age). At 6 months, intervention infants showed less stress and more approach behaviours on the IBA compared with control infants. These promising results warrant further evaluation in a randomized controlled trial.
