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Updated: May 27, 2026
Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
Published on: August 25, 2014
Developmental care for high-risk newborns: emerging science, clinical application, and continuity from newborn
1JFK Partners Center for Family and Infant Interaction, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 13121 East 19th Avenue, Aurora, CO USA. Joy.Browne@childrenscolorado.org
Insights
Developmentally supportive care (DSC) improves outcomes for high-risk newborns by optimizing the caregiving environment. Further research is needed to fully understand and integrate this crucial aspect of neonatal care.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal care
- Neurodevelopmental outcomes
- Pediatric research
Background:
- Neonatal medicine has improved survival rates for high-risk infants.
- Neurodevelopmental outcomes remain a significant concern for these vulnerable newborns.
- The caregiving environment profoundly impacts infant brain development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the importance of the caregiving environment in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).
- To emphasize the role of professional caregivers in providing supportive interventions.
- To underscore the need for early developmentally supportive care (DSC) for high-risk newborns.
Main Methods:
- Review of basic science, clinical research, and environmental design.
- Analysis of the impact of caregiving environments on infant neurodevelopment.
- Examination of the role of professional caregivers in supportive interventions.
Main Results:
- Developmentally supportive care (DSC) is increasingly recognized as a standard in NICUs.
- DSC focuses on creating supportive interventions for infants and their families.
- The caregiving environment is a critical factor influencing infant brain development.
Conclusions:
- Developmentally supportive care (DSC) is essential for optimizing neurodevelopmental outcomes in high-risk newborns.
- Integration of DSC in hospital and community settings is crucial.
- Further integrative research is necessary to address remaining questions in DSC.
Abstract:
Neonatology has optimized medical outcomes for high-risk newborns yet neurodevelopmental outcomes continue to be a concern. Basic science, clinical research, and environmental design perspectives have shown the impact of the caregiving environment on the developing brain and the role of professional caregivers in providing supportive intervention to both infants and their families. This recognition has prompted a focus on early developmentally supportive care (DSC) for high-risk newborns both in the hospital and in community follow up. DSC has emerged as a recognized standard of care in most neonatal intensive care units. Still, many questions remain and much integrative research is needed.
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