Developmental outcome, child behaviour and mother-child interaction at 3 years of age following Newborn Individualized Developmental Care and Intervention Program (NIDCAP) intervention

The aim of the present pilot study was to investigate the impact of early i ntervention in the form of family-centred developmentally supportive care a ccording to NIDCAP((R)) (Newborn Individualized Developmental Care and Asse ssment Program) on the development and behaviour of the child and on the mo ther-child interaction at 3 years of age. Two groups of very-low-birth-weig ht (VLBW) infants (less than or equal to 1500 g) were studied. The control group (n = 21) was born in 1990, i.e. prior to implementation of the NIDCAP . The intervention group, born in 1992-1993 (n =21), was subjected to forma l NIDCAP observation once every 10 days. Development was assessed using the Griffiths' Developmental Scale II in conjunction with a neurological exami nation. Behaviour was assessed on the basis of a parental interview. Mother -child interaction was assessed according to the Parent-Child Early Relatio nal Assessment Scale (ERA). There was no significant difference in motor de velopment. The total developmental quotient (DQ) on the Griffiths' developm ental scale was 109 (94-122) [median (range)] for the NIDCAP group and 108 (93-120) for the control group (n.s.). On the subscale hearing-speech, the intervention group scored 119 (72-157) and the control group 108 (84-130)(P = 0.02). The total score with respect to the Behaviour Symptom Interview w as 6 (0-20) for the NIDCAP group and 16 (0-54) for the control group (P = 0 .03). With respect to the mother-child interaction, there was a significant difference in the child cluster 'communication', the total score being 12 (11-13) for the NIDCAP group and 10 (9-13) for the control group (P = 0.03) . In conclusion, care of VLBW infants according to NIDCAP appears to have c ertain positive long-term effects on the child's behaviour and mother-child interaction. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.