Conclusion Current evidence suggests that developmental care in only NICU setting could have significant effect on mental and motor development of preterm infants , especially at 12 months of age .
Background The aim of this study was to review the effects of developmental care in neonatal intensive care unit ( NICU ) setting on mental and motor development of preterm infants .
NIDCAP improves brain function and structure in preterm infants with severe intrauterine growth restriction
Objective : The effect of NIDCAP ( Newborn Individualized Developmental Care and Assessment Program ) was examined on the neurobehavioral , electrophysiological and neurostructural development of preterm infants with severe intrauterine growth restriction ( IUGR ) . Study Design : A total of 30 infants , 27–33 weeks gestation , were r and omized to control ( C ; N=17 ) or NIDCAP/experimental ( E ; N=13 ) care . Baseline health and demographics were assessed at intake ; electroencephalography ( EEG ) and magnetic resonance imaging ( MRI )  at 35 and 42 weeks postmenstrual age ; and health , growth and neurobehavior at 42 weeks and 9 months corrected age ( 9 months ) . Results : C and E infants were comparable in health and demographics at baseline . At follow-up , E infants were healthier , showed significantly improved brain development and better neurobehavior . Neurobehavior , EEG and MRI discriminated between C and E infants . Neurobehavior at 42 weeks correlated with EEG and MRI at 42 weeks and neurobehavior at 9 months . Conclusion : NIDCAP significantly improved IUGR preterm infants ' neurobehavior , electrophysiology and brain structure . Longer-term outcome assessment and larger sample s are recommended
Conclusion Current evidence suggests that developmental care in only NICU setting could have significant effect on mental and motor development of preterm infants , especially at 12 months of age .
Background The aim of this study was to review the effects of developmental care in neonatal intensive care unit ( NICU ) setting on mental and motor development of preterm infants .