Family-Centered Care Enhanced Neonatal Neurophysiological Function in Preterm Infants: Randomized Controlled Trial

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Developmental Pediatrics
• Neonatology

Background:

• Family-centered interventions (FCIP) show developmental benefits for preterm infants.
• Neurological effects of FCIP are not well-documented.
• Preterm infants, especially those with very low birth weight (VLBW), require specialized neurodevelopmental support.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the impact of a family-centered intervention program (FCIP) on neurophysiological functions in very low birth weight (VLBW) preterm infants.
• To compare FCIP with usual care (UCP) in Taiwan.
• To explore FCIP-induced changes in neurobehavioral and neurophysiological outcomes.

Main Methods:

• A multicenter, single-blind randomized controlled trial involving 251 VLBW preterm infants in Taiwan.
• Intervention group received FCIP; control group received UCP during hospitalization.
• Neurophysiological function assessed via EEG/event-related potentials during sleep and auditory oddball task; neurobehavioral performance measured using Neonatal Neurobehavioral Examination-Chinese version.

Main Results:

• FCIP enhanced neurophysiological maturation compared to UCP.
• Specific findings include increased mismatch negativity amplitudes and altered interhemispheric coherence during sleep.
• Positive association found between interhemispheric coherence and neurobehavioral scores in appropriate-for-gestational-age infants.

Conclusions:

• Family-centered intervention promotes short-term neurophysiological maturation in VLBW preterm infants.
• FCIP may be a valuable strategy for supporting early brain development in this population.
• Parental adherence strategies may contribute to the observed intervention effects.