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Long-term benefits of home-based preventive care for preterm infants: a randomized trial

Megan M Spencer-Smith1, Alicia J Spittle, Lex W Doyle

  • 1Critical Care and Neurosciences, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Victoria, Australia. megan.spencer-smith@mcri.edu.au

Pediatrics
|November 7, 2012
PubMed

Insights

A home-based program for very preterm infants demonstrated long-term benefits, significantly reducing caregiver anxiety and preschooler internalizing behaviors by age 4.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal care
  • Developmental pediatrics
  • Parental mental health

Background:

  • Previous findings showed benefits at 2 years for a home-based preventive program for very preterm infants.
  • This study evaluated the longer-term effectiveness up to preschool age.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the long-term effectiveness of a home-based preventive care program for very preterm infants and their caregivers.
  • To assess child functioning and caregiver mental health at 4 years corrected age.

Main Methods:

  • 120 very preterm infants (<30 weeks gestation) were randomized to intervention or standard care.
  • Intervention included 9 home visits in the first year, targeting infant development, parent mental health, and parent-infant relationship.
  • Child cognitive, behavioral, motor functioning, and caregiver mental health were assessed at 4 years corrected age.

Main Results:

  • No significant differences in cognitive or motor functioning between groups.
  • Intervention group showed significantly lower child internalizing behaviors (P=.02).
  • Intervention group caregivers reported fewer anxiety symptoms (P=.01) and were less likely to be at-risk for anxiety (P=.01).

Conclusions:

  • The home-based preventive program offers selective long-term benefits for very preterm infants.
  • Key long-term benefits include reduced caregiver anxiety and fewer internalizing behaviors in preschoolers.
  • This highlights the sustained positive impact of early home-based interventions.
Abstract

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