title: Effects of a tactile stimulation/range-finding programme on the development of VLBW-neonates during the first year of life.
abstract: To investigate long-term effects of a hospital-based neonatal intervention programme, we performed a follow-up study on the development of very low birthweight neonates who were subjected to a tactile stimulation/range-finding programme. At corrected ages up to 1 year we evaluated weight-for-length gain, length, head circumference, psychomotor development, ankle mobility, tactile responses, motor behaviour and physical/neurological status. Significant differences between groups were found in weight-for-length gain in the girls and on items 'inspects own hands' and 'playing with feet to mouth' of the psychomotor development profile. These results suggest that our programme influences growth and enhances the infant's adaptive behaviour.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Physiotherapy, University Hospital for Children and Youth, Het Wilhelmina Kinderziekenhuis, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Helders
authors.forename: B P
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Cats
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Debast
mesh_terms: D001835:Body Weight; D002657:Child Development; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight / Q000523:psychology*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; D008297:Male; D010812:Physical Stimulation; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D014110:Touch