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Updated: May 19, 2026
Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
Published on: August 25, 2014
[Effect of early intervention programs on neurobehavioral outcome in premature infants after discharge]
B Guillois1, S Castel, A Beunard
1Service de néonatalogie, UFR de médecine de Caen, CHU de Caen, avenue Côte-de-Nacre, 14033 Caen, France. guillois-b@chu-caen.fr
Insights
Early intervention programs for premature infants show varied results. Optimal programs consider parental well-being and parent-infant interaction for improved developmental outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal development
- Developmental psychology
- Pediatric care
Background:
- Premature infants face developmental challenges post-discharge.
- Early intervention programs aim to mitigate these challenges.
- Existing programs exhibit significant variability in design and duration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and synthesize the methods and outcomes of early intervention programs for families of premature infants.
- To identify key factors influencing program effectiveness.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of early intervention studies.
- Analysis of program components: type, frequency, duration, and follow-up.
- Evaluation of cognitive and behavioral outcomes at different developmental stages.
Main Results:
- Inconsistent improvements in cognitive and behavioral outcomes were observed.
- Variability in intervention approaches complicates direct comparisons.
- No single intervention type demonstrated universally superior results.
Conclusions:
- Intervention effectiveness is influenced by program duration and intensity.
- Parental psychological status is a critical factor for success.
- Focusing on parent-infant interaction is crucial for optimal developmental trajectories.
Abstract:
The authors describe the methods and results of the main early intervention programs after discharge in the families of premature infants. There is great variability between the studies concerning the type, frequency, and length of interventions and the length of follow-up. Inconsistent improvement in cognitive and behavioral outcomes in the first 2years of life and at preschool age were noted. Most recent studies underscore that the intervention should take into account parental psychological status, focus on parent-infant interaction, and last a sufficiently long time.
