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Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
19:15

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale

Published on: August 25, 2014

Developmental care, neonatal behavior and postnatal maternal depressive symptomatology predict internalizing problems

R Montirosso1, L Giusti1, P De Carli1

  • 10-3 Centre for the at-Risk Infant, Scientific Institute, IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Lecco, Italy.

Journal of Perinatology : Official Journal of the California Perinatal Association
|September 22, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Developmental care (DC) quality impacts preterm infant behavior and maternal mood. Poor DC and maternal depression predict more infant behavioral issues long-term.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal development
  • Developmental psychology
  • Perinatal mental health

Background:

  • Preterm infants face unique developmental challenges.
  • Developmental care (DC) practices in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) aim to support infant well-being.
  • Postnatal maternal depression can affect infant outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop a prospective model for preterm infant behavioral outcomes.
  • To examine the influence of developmental care (DC) quality and maternal depression on these outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • Longitudinal, multicenter study in 25 Italian NICUs.
  • 162 healthy very preterm infants and their mothers participated.
  • Assessed DC quality, infant neurobehavior, and maternal depressive symptoms over time.

Main Results:

  • Low-quality DC linked to poorer infant neurobehavioral adaptability and increased maternal depressive symptoms.
  • Maternal depression and infant dysregulation predicted more internalizing behavioral problems at 18 months.

Conclusions:

  • Developmental care interventions significantly impact infant outcomes.
  • Postnatal maternal depression is a critical factor in long-term infant behavioral development.
  • Integrated approaches addressing both DC and maternal mental health are crucial.
Abstract

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