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Influence of holding practice on preterm infant development.
Madalynn Neu1, JoAnn Robinson, Sarah J Schmiege
1University of Colorado College of Nursing, Aurora, CO, USA. madalynn.neu@ucdenver.edu
MCN. the American Journal of Maternal Child Nursing
|April 30, 2013
Summary
Nurse-supported kangaroo holding and blanket holding both promote early behavioral organization and development in preterm infants. Both methods offer similar benefits for infant development during the first eight weeks of life.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal care
- Developmental pediatrics
- Infant behavior
Background:
- Preterm infants require specialized care to support optimal development.
- Early behavioral organization is crucial for long-term infant outcomes.
- Kangaroo holding is a recognized method for enhancing infant well-being.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of nurse-supported kangaroo holding on early behavioral organization and development in preterm infants.
- To compare the effects of kangaroo holding, blanket holding, and a control group on infant behavior.
- To determine if specific holding methods facilitate developmental progress in the first eight weeks of life.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving 87 preterm infants (32-35 weeks gestation) and their mothers.
- Three groups: kangaroo holding, blanket holding, and control, with nurse support for the first two groups.
- Assessment of Preterm Infant Behavior (APIB) administered at 40-44 weeks postconceptional age.
Main Results:
- Kangaroo holding averaged 59 minutes/day, significantly more than blanket or control groups.
- Infants in kangaroo and blanket groups showed more optimal scores in Robust Crying compared to controls.
- Most behavioral scores were comparable to those of full-term infants.
Conclusions:
- Both nurse-supported kangaroo holding and blanket holding appear to offer comparable benefits for early behavioral organization and development.
- These holding methods may be equally effective in supporting preterm infant development.
- Further research can explore long-term implications of these interventions.
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