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Developmental outcome in extremely premature infants. Impact of surfactant

J Bregman1, L V Kimberlin

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Evanston Hospital, Illinois.

Pediatric Clinics of North America
|October 1, 1993
PubMed

Insights

Neonatal care advances have reduced mortality in extremely low-birth-weight infants. Modifying the NICU environment and involving parents may improve developmental outcomes for vulnerable premature infants.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatology
  • Perinatal Medicine
  • Developmental Pediatrics

Background:

  • Significant advancements in neonatal care, particularly surfactant therapy, have improved survival rates for extremely low-birth-weight (ELBW) infants.
  • While mortality has decreased, the impact on morbidity in ELBW infants remains a concern, with overall impairment rates still high, especially for the earliest survivors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the potential of modifying the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) environment to improve developmental outcomes for physiologically vulnerable premature infants.
  • To highlight the role of parental integration as primary caretakers in enhancing infant development before discharge.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current research on the impact of the NICU environment on premature infant development.
  • Analysis of trends in early extubation and discharge planning for very small infants.
  • Exploration of supportive care models integrating parents into infant care.

Main Results:

  • While neonatal care has not increased impairment rates in ELBW infants, overall morbidity remains high.
  • Research suggests that mitigating the stressful NICU environment can positively influence developmental trajectories.
  • Earlier extubation and discharge are becoming more feasible, creating opportunities for enhanced developmental support.

Conclusions:

  • Optimizing the NICU environment and actively involving parents as competent caretakers offers a promising avenue to improve developmental outcomes for premature infants.
  • Further research is needed to fully elucidate the benefits of these supportive care strategies for vulnerable neonates.

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