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The effects of an early developmental mother-child intervention program on neurodevelopment outcome in very low birth
M L Gianní1, O Picciolini, M Ravasi
1NICU-Ospedale Maggiore, Cl Mangiagalli-IRCCS-University of Milan, Italy. maria.gianni@unimi.it
Insights
An early intervention program improved neurodevelopmental outcomes for very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. The program positively impacted personal-social skills and practical reasoning at 36 months.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurodevelopment
- Early Intervention Programs
- High-Risk Infant Outcomes
Background:
- Very low birth weight (VLBW) infants often experience minor neurodevelopmental dysfunctions.
- The effectiveness of early intervention for VLBW infants remains under investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the impact of a post-discharge mother-child intervention on VLBW infants' neurodevelopment at 36 months.
- Evaluating long-term neurodevelopmental benefits of early intervention in VLBW populations.
Main Methods:
- Prospective randomized study involving 36 VLBW infants (birth weight: 864g, gestational age: 27.9 weeks).
- Infants were assigned to either an intervention or control group.
- Neurodevelopment was assessed at 36 months using the Griffiths Mental Development Scale.
Main Results:
- Intervention group showed significantly higher scores in personal-social subscales (P=0.02) and practical reasoning (P=0.01).
- Eye-hand coordination scores were also improved in the intervention group (P=0.041).
- Overall Griffiths Mental Development Scale scores approached significance (P=0.074).
Conclusions:
- Early post-discharge mother-child intervention may positively influence neurodevelopmental outcomes in VLBW children.
- Suggests the value of targeted developmental support for high-risk infants.
Background:
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.
Aims:
To evaluate the effects of an early post-discharge developmental mother-child intervention program on neurodevelopment outcome at 36 months in VLBW infants.
Study Design:
Prospective study.
Subjects:
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.
Outcome Measures:
Neurodevelopment assessment at 36 months of chronological age with use of the Griffiths Mental Development Scale and related subscales.
Results:
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).
Conclusions:
Early post-discharge developmental mother-child intervention program may have a positive effect on later neurodevelopment outcome of VLBW children.
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