Early Sensitivity Training for Parents of Preterm Infants: Impact on the Developing Brain

Abstract

After birth, preterm infants face a stressful environment, which may negatively impact early brain development and subsequent neurobehavioral outcomes. This randomized controlled trial involving 45 women with infants Ͻ30-wk gestation, assessed the effectiveness of training parents in reducing stressful experiences. Intervention consisted of 10 sessions in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Postintervention, at term-equivalent (40-wk postmenstrual age), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed to evaluate brain structure and development. Quantitative volumetric techniques were used to estimate overall and regional brain volumes for different tissue types including CSF, CGM, DNGM, UWM, and MWM. DTI was used to evaluate the integrity and maturation of white matter by ADC and FA. Maturation and connectivity of white matter, characterized by diffusion MR measures of ADC and FA, were significantly enhanced in the intervention group, who displayed greater restriction in ADC and increase in FA. There were no significant effects on either brain volumes or on short-term medical outcomes. Thus, sensitivity training for parents in the NICU is associated with improved cerebral white matter micro-structural development in preterm infants. (Pediatr Res 67: 330-335, 2010)

State of the Art Review: Poverty and the Developing Brain

“…It is conceivable that extending screening programs to include environmental mediators of neurodevelopment described above (eg, parenting stress, cognitive stimulation) could promote child neurodevelopment across the socioeconomic spectrum. 122 Primary care provides a populationbased setting for interventions to mitigate the impact of poverty early in life, as evidenced by programs like Reach Out and Read, which promotes early literacy. 65,123 For example, in the Video Interaction Project, delivered alongside well child care, child development specialists provide parent-child interaction coaching and support play and shared reading.…”

Impact of Recurring Technical Pain-Associated Stress in Preterm Infants

“…Nowadays sucrose is the main commonly applied non-pharmacologic intercession for the healing of slight procedures in preterm neonates (Milgrom J et al 2010). Nevertheless, whereas it is well-recognized that oral sucrose decreases behavioral replies and occasionally physiological reactions (Taddio A & Yiu A 2009), sucrose does not seem to diminish EEG reaction to pain (Slater R &Worley A 2010).…”

“…Parent sustain to encourage sensitive and approachable relations through hospitalization of preterm neonates in the NICU seems to develop white substance maturation (Milgrom J et al 2010).…”

Psychologisch-sozialmedizinische Versorgung in der Neonatologie

“…Zum Beispiel wiesen Kinder von in dieser Weise trainierten Müttern mit 9 Jahren eine im Mittel um 10 Intelligenzquotient(IQ)-Punkte höhere Intelligenzleistung auf als Kinder nichttrainierter Mütter [2]. Eine neuronale Basis hierfür sind signifikante, sehr frühzeitige Veränderungen der Hirnreifung zugunsten der Kinder trainierter Mütter [17].…”