An Internet-Based Developmental Home Care Support Program Improved Maternal Psychological Symptoms and Infant Growth:...

Area of Science:

• Neonatal care
• Maternal mental health
• Developmental pediatrics

Background:

• Preterm infants face increased risks for developmental and health issues.
• Maternal psychological distress can negatively impact infant outcomes.
• Home care support programs are crucial for vulnerable mother-infant dyads.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of an internet-based Developmental Home Care Support program (DHCSP).
• To assess the program's impact on reducing maternal psychological symptoms.
• To determine the program's effect on improving preterm infants' physical growth.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial involving 74 mother-infant dyads.
• Participants were assigned to either the DHCSP intervention or a control group.
• Data on maternal depressive and PTSD symptoms and infant growth parameters were collected at discharge, 1-month, and 2-month corrected age.

Main Results:

• Mothers in the DHCSP group showed significantly greater reductions in depressive symptoms compared to controls (P=.03).
• Preterm infants in the DHCSP group exhibited significantly greater increases in body length (P=.02).
• No significant differences were observed in maternal PTSD symptoms or infant body weight and head circumference between groups.

Conclusions:

• The internet-based DHCSP is effective in alleviating maternal depressive symptoms.
• The DHCSP intervention positively influences preterm infants' linear growth.
• This program represents a viable tool for supporting maternal mental health and infant development post-discharge.