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A randomized controlled trial of an early intervention program in low birth weight children: outcome at 2 years
Per Ivar Kaaresen1, John A Rønning, Jorunn Tunby
1Pediatric Department, University Hospital of North Norway, N-9038 Tromsø, Norway. per.ivar.kaaresen@unn.no
Insights
This early intervention program did not improve cognitive, motor, or behavioral outcomes for low birth weight infants. However, it significantly reduced parenting stress for both mothers and fathers.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Neonatal Care
- Child Psychology
Background:
- Preterm infants face higher risks of developmental issues.
- Existing interventions show conflicting results in improving outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate an early intervention program's impact on low birth weight children.
- Assessed effects on cognitive, motor, behavioral problems, and parenting stress at 2 years corrected age.
Main Methods:
- Randomized controlled trial of a modified Mother-Infant Transaction Program.
- Included infants with birth weight <2000g.
- Assessed outcomes using Bayley Scales, Child Behavior Checklist/2-3, and Parenting Stress Index.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in cognitive or motor outcomes between groups.
- Intervention group showed lower scores on Child Behavior Checklist/2-3, but not significantly.
- Mothers reported significantly lower parental stress; fathers reported lower stress in the child domain.
Conclusions:
- The early intervention program did not enhance cognitive, motor, or behavioral outcomes.
- A significant reduction in parenting stress was observed for mothers and fathers in the intervention group.
Background:
Preterm infants are at increased risk of cognitive, motor and behavioral problems. Different intervention programs have been designed in an attempt to improve outcome, but the results are conflicting.
Objective:
To examine the effects of an early intervention program on cognitive, motor and behavioral problems and parenting stress among low birth weight children at 2 years corrected age.
Methods:
A randomized controlled trial was conducted including infants with a birth weight <2000 g treated at the University Hospital of North Norway, to examine the effects of a modified version of the Mother-Infant Transaction Program on cognitive, motor and behavioral outcomes and parenting stress. The children were assessed with the Bayley Scales of Infant Development and the Child Behavior Checklist/2-3 (CBCL) and the Parenting Stress Index were administered to the parents at 2 years corrected age.
Results:
Sixty-nine children in the intervention group and 67 in the control group were assessed at 2 years. There were no differences between the groups in cognitive or motor outcomes. The intervention group scored consistently lower on all CBCL syndrome scales, but no difference was significant. The mothers in the intervention group reported significantly lower parental stress in both child and parent domain, whereas the fathers reported lower stress in child domain compared to the control group.
Conclusion:
This early intervention program does not improve cognitive, motor or behavioral outcomes at 2 years. There was a significant reduction in parenting stress reported by both mothers and fathers in the intervention group.