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The Effect of Group-Based Early Parent Education on Development in Preterm Infants
Joon Hee Lee1, Nam Hyun Lee2, In Jin Yoon2
1Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Asan Medical Center, College of Medicine, University of Ulsan, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea.
Insights
Group-based early parent education significantly improved development in preterm infants. This intervention was particularly beneficial for infants born before 28 weeks gestational age and those with minimal brain injury.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal development
- Pediatric physical therapy
- Early intervention programs
Background:
- Preterm infants often experience developmental delays.
- Early intervention is crucial for improving outcomes in high-risk infants.
- Parent education programs can support infant development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of group-based early parent education on preterm infant development.
- To assess developmental trajectories in preterm infants receiving specialized education.
- To identify specific subgroups of preterm infants who benefit most from parent education.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective cohort study with a historical control group.
- Inclusion of preterm infants (n=246) aged 0-3 months corrected age (CA).
- Intervention group received 8 education sessions (PT/OT) between 0-6 months CA; assessments at 3, 6, 9, 12, and 24 months CA.
Main Results:
- The education group, initially showing greater delay, achieved no significant delay post-intervention.
- Significant developmental improvements were observed in infants born before 28 weeks gestational age.
- Infants with no or mild brain injury demonstrated the most prominent developmental gains.
Conclusions:
- Group-based early parent education enhances 24-month corrected age development in preterm infants.
- The intervention shows particular efficacy for extremely preterm infants and those with less severe brain injury.
- This educational approach offers a promising strategy for optimizing developmental outcomes in vulnerable preterm populations.
Objectives:
This study explored how group-based early parent education impacts development in preterm infants.
Methods:
This retrospective cohort study, with a historical control group, included preterm infants (n = 246) with corrected ages (CAs) of 0-3 months. Those visiting the clinic between July 2017 and December 2018 formed the control group (n = 145), whereas those visiting between January 2019 and February 2020 (n = 101) constituted the education group. The education group received six education sessions performed by a physical therapist, and two sessions conducted by an occupational therapist at CAs of 0-6 months. Assessments included the following: Alberta Infant Motor Scale at CA 3, 6, 9, and 12 months; Bayley Scales of Infant Development II at CA 12 and 24 months; and the Sequenced Language Scale for Infants at CA 24 months.
Results:
The education group, which initially showed greater developmental delay than the control group, showed no significant delay after education sessions. Developmental improvements were more prominent in infants born before 28 weeks' gestational age, and in infants with no, or mild, brain injury.
Conclusions:
Group-based early parent education improved development at CA 24 months in preterm infants, especially in infants born before 28 weeks gestational age, and in infants with no, or mild, brain injury. This approach may enhance developmental outcomes in preterm infants.
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