Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 2, 2026
A Novel Method for Involving Women of Color at High Risk for Preterm Birth in Research Priority Setting
Published on: January 12, 2018
Neuroprotective Care of Extremely Preterm Infants in the First 72 Hours After Birth
Leslie Altimier1, Raylene Phillips2
1Northeastern University, School of Nursing in the Bouvé College of Health Sciences, 360 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Philips HealthTech, Cambridge, MA, USA.
Insights
Extremely preterm infants require specialized care to support brain development outside the womb. Family-centered developmental care, including skin-to-skin contact, enhances infant neuroprotection and well-being.
Area of Science:
- Neonatalogy
- Developmental Neuroscience
- Pediatric Care
Background:
- Infants born at extremely low gestational ages face significant risks to survival and long-term health.
- Postnatal development, particularly of the brain, is critical and continues outside the womb.
- Standardized, neuroprotective care is essential for improving outcomes in extremely preterm infants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the importance of family-centered developmental care for extremely preterm infants.
- To emphasize the role of neuroprotective interventions in supporting infant-family emotional connections.
- To underscore the benefits of skin-to-skin contact for preterm infant physiology and neurodevelopment.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on neonatal intensive care practices.
- Analysis of the impact of family-centered developmental care models.
- Evaluation of neuroprotective strategies, focusing on skin-to-skin contact.
Main Results:
- Neuro-supportive and standardized care practices improve outcomes for extremely preterm infants.
- Interventions focusing on infant-family emotional bonds are crucial for neuroprotection.
- Skin-to-skin contact is vital for physiological stability and neurodevelopment in preterm infants.
Conclusions:
- Family-centered developmental care, including skin-to-skin contact, is a key neuroprotective strategy for extremely preterm infants.
- Prioritizing the emotional connection between infants and families is essential for optimal neurodevelopment.
- Implementing standardized, neuroprotective care practices can significantly improve the health and well-being of extremely preterm infants.
Abstract:
Birth at extremely low gestational ages presents a significant threat to infants' survival, health, development, and future well-being. After birth, a critical period of brain development must continue outside the womb. Neuro-supportive and neuroprotective family centered developmental care for and standardized care practices for extremely preterm infants have been shown to improve outcomes. Neuroprotective interventions must include a focus on the emotional connections of infants and their families. Being in skin-to-skin contact with the mother is the developmentally expected environment for all mammals and is especially important for supporting physiologic stability and neurodevelopment of preterm infants.
Related Concept Videos
01:22Birth Control Methods
01:23Holter Monitor: 24-Hour Monitoring
01:22Absolute and Local Extreme Values
01:21Interdisciplinary Care: The Health Care Team-I
Physicians
The physician's primary responsibility is to diagnose illness and direct the medical or surgical treatment of the condition. The authority to admit patients to a healthcare agency or institution and practice care within that setting is granted to physicians by the healthcare agency or institution...
01:18Interdisciplinary Care: The Health Care Team-II
Physical Therapist
A physical therapist (PT) aims to restore function or prevent additional impairment in a patient following an injury or disease. Massage, heat, cold, water, sonar waves, exercises, and electrical stimulation are some treatments used by PTs to treat...
01:25Continuing Care