Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 24, 2026
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 in very low birth weight infants; outcome on executive
Gijs Verkerk1, Martine Jeukens-Visser, Bregje Houtzager
1Department of Rehabilitation, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. g.j.verkerk@amc.uva.nl
Insights
The Infant Behavioral Assessment and Intervention Program (IBAIP) did not show lasting effects on executive function in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants by preschool age. However, vulnerable VLBW infants demonstrated clinically significant benefits from the intervention.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Pediatric Medicine
- Neuroscience
Background:
- The Infant Behavioral Assessment and Intervention Program (IBAIP©) previously improved outcomes in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants.
- Early intervention aims to enhance development in high-risk infant populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the long-term effects of IBAIP on executive functioning, behavior, and cognition in VLBW infants at preschool age.
- To assess if initial benefits observed at 24 months are sustained.
- To compare outcomes with term-born infants.
Main Methods:
- Follow-up of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) involving 176 VLBW infants at 44 months corrected age.
- Cognitive and behavioral assessments included the Visual Attention Task (VAT), Gift delay, Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test III-NL (PPVT), visual-motor integration, and Miller Assessment for Preschoolers.
- Parent-reported outcomes via the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-Preschool (BRIEF-P) and Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL).
Main Results:
- No significant overall differences were found between the IBAIP intervention and control groups at preschool age.
- Positive interaction effects favoring the intervention group were observed in specific subgroups: infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia, those born at <28 weeks gestation, and infants of low-educated mothers.
- VLBW children, as a group, performed significantly worse than term-born controls on VAT, BRIEF-P, and CBCL.
Conclusions:
- The positive effects of IBAIP on executive functioning, behavior, and cognition in VLBW infants did not persist until preschool age.
- Vulnerable subgroups of VLBW infants experienced clinically relevant benefits from the IBAIP intervention.
- VLBW children demonstrated developmental lags compared to their term-born peers, highlighting the need for continued support.
Background:
The Infant Behavioral Assessment and Intervention Program (IBAIP©) improved motor function at 24 months, and mental and behavioural development in high risk subgroups of very low birth weight (VLBW) infants.
Aim:
To determine IBAIP's effects on executive functioning, behaviour and cognition at preschool age.
Study Design:
Follow-up of a randomised controlled trial (RCT).
Subjects:
At 44 months corrected age, all 176 VLBW infants were invited for follow-up. Forty-one term born children were assessed for comparison.
Outcome Measures:
Visual Attention Task (VAT), Gift delay, Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test III-NL (PPVT), Visual motor integration tests and Miller assessment for preschoolers. Parents completed Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-Preschool (BRIEF-P) and Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL).
Results:
At preschool age, 76 (88%) children of the intervention group and 75 (83%) children of the control group participated. There were no significant differences between the intervention and the control group. However, positive interaction effects between intervention and infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia, infants born at gestational age<28 weeks, and infants of low educated mothers were found on CBCL, CBCL and BRIEF-P, and PPVT respectively. Most interaction effects exceeded 1 standard deviation in favour of the intervention children. The 151 VLBW children performed significantly worse than the term born children on the VAT, BRIEF-P and CBCL.
Conclusion:
IBAIP effects in VLBW children did not sustain until preschool age on executive functioning, behaviour and cognition. However, the most vulnerable children had a clinical relevant profit from IBAIP. VLBW children performed worse than the term born children. This study is a follow-up at preschool age of the multi-centre RCT of IBAIP versus usual care in VLBW infants. The RCT was performed in Amsterdam, The Netherlands (IBAIP).
Related Concept Videos
01:30Information Processing Approach
01:29Environmental Influences on Intelligence