Comparative study of premature and full-term infants and types of stimulations experienced during the first six months of life

The purpose of this study was to compare preterm and fullterm infants' temp erament and development and to evaluate the physical and social stimulation s they experience at 2, 4 and 6 months (correcting for prematurity). Fifty- six mother-infant dyads, including 28 premature and 28 fullterm infants, pa rticipated in the study. The groups did not differ on temperament and devel opmental measures, neither on physical environment (density, toys, accessor ies). However, significant differences were found regarding social stimulat ion. Mothers of preterm infants had less optimal sensibility-contingency sc ores and used more distal stimulation at 2 months than mothers of fullterm infants. During the first six months, premature infants spent more time in activities involving the immediate family, whereas fullterm infants went mo re frequently on outings. Pit home, fullterm infants interacted more with p eople from their social network. These stimulations could eventually have a n impact on infant development.