Behavioural and cognitive outcomes following an early stress-reduction intervention for very preterm and extremely preterm infants

Jeannette Milgrom, Paul R. Martin, Carol Newnham, Christopher J. Holt, Peter J. Anderson, Rod W. Hunt, John Reece, Carmel Ferretti, Thomas Achenbach, Alan W. Gemmill

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background: The landmark findings of the Mother–Infant Transaction Program (MITP) showing improved neurodevelopment of preterm infants following parent-sensitivity training delivered in the neonatal intensive care unit have not been consistently replicated. This study evaluated an MITP-type intervention in terms of neurobehavioural development to preschool age. Methods: A randomised controlled trial involved 123 very preterm and extremely preterm infants allocated to either a parent-sensitivity intervention (PremieStart, n = 60) or to standard care (n = 63). When children were 2 and 4.5 years corrected age, parents completed the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). General development was assessed at 2 years with the Bayley Scales of Infant Development (Bayley-III). At 4.5 years, cognitive functioning was assessed with the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI-III) and executive functioning with the NEPSY-II. Results: There were no significant between-group differences in behaviour problems at 2 or 4.5 years, general development at 2 years, or cognitive and executive functioning at 4.5 years. Conclusion: Advances in the quality of neonatal intensive care may mean that MITP-type interventions now have limited additional impact on preterm infants’ long-term neurobehavioural outcomes. The gestational age of infants and the exact timing of intervention may also affect its efficacy.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)92-99
Number of pages8
JournalPediatric Research
Volume86
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jul 2019

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