Developmental intervention during neonatal hospitalization. Critiquing the state of the science.
Recent investigations, such as those discussed, focus attention on the need for additional studies that explore the emerging neuroregulatory mechanisms in premature infants. Data from these investigations may augment current high standards of neonatal medical care that now focus on treating the heart, lungs, and digestive systems. The various studies of early developmental processes encourage clinicians to recognize and treat premature infants as individuals, a principle acknowledged long ago about full-term infants and parents. Through understanding the critical role of parents in guiding the continued health and development of infants after hospital discharge, hospital staff are exploring methods for helping parents feel involved, respected, and supported as primary caregivers. Similarly, staff are reacting to the growing realization that optimal developmental outcome requires close coordination between hospital and community services for infants and families. Continued attention to the developmental needs of hospitalized infants and their parents, along with further integration of medical, developmental, and emotional care, will surely succeed in bringing early hope to the fragile beginning of life after high-risk birth.
Gorski
P A
PA
Department of Pediatrics and Psychiatry, Northwestern University Medical School, Evanston, Illinois.
D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn / Q000502:physiology*; D015931:Intensive Care, Neonatal / Q000379:methods*; D010812:Physical Stimulation