[Developmental centered care. Evaluation of Spanish neonatal units]

Developmental and family centered care (DC) is a framework that aims to enhance the neurodevelopment of the infant. Over the last few years Spanish neonatal units have been working toward introducing this type of care.

To evaluate DC in Spanish neonatal units by assessing certain features of the care provided to very low birth weight infants and their families.

Spanish hospitals attending infants under 1,500 g were identified. A cross sectional study was performed using a telephone questionnaire with 25 DC-related items.

Of the 100 hospitals attending infants under 1,500 g, 83 hospitals from all the Autonomous Communities in Spain participated in the survey. Of these, 31 % had noise pollution controls, 72 % controlled light intensity, 75 % bound the infants, and 29 % used saccharose as an analgesic. Ten percent allowed unrestricted parental visits. Twenty-two percent used kangaroo care without restriction. Sixty-three percent of the units reported difficulties when introducing DC-related changes.

Practically all neonatal units have some type of DC activity, although in certain areas, such as unrestricted parental visits, the rate of implementation is low.