This thesis examines the effect of developmental care in a tertiary NICU in 2 locations in the Netherlands on preterm infants born < 32 weeks gestational age. Following a pilot study with 22... Show moreThis thesis examines the effect of developmental care in a tertiary NICU in 2 locations in the Netherlands on preterm infants born < 32 weeks gestational age. Following a pilot study with 22 preterm infants and their parents, two consecutive randomized controlled trials (n=179, n=164) in which first basic developmental care (use of incubator covers and positioning aids), and then the comprehensive Newborn Individualized Developmental Care and Assessment Program (NIDCAP), an individual approach in which caregiving is based on the behavior of the infant, was studied in preterm infants born < 32 weeks GA. Basic developmental care had no effect on short-term physical and neurological outcomes; a positive effect on psychomotor development at 1 CA, but no effect on neurological and mental development or growth at 1 and 2 years. NIDCAP showed no effect on short-term physical and neurological outcomes as well as no effect on growth, neurological, mental and psychomotor development at 1 and 2 years CA in infants born < 32 weeks, as compared to basic developmental care. Future research should include not only the effect of developmental care in the neonatal centers but also the effect of continuing the intervention once infants are transferred to regional hospitals. Show less
This thesis explores the effects of a basic form of developmental care (the use of incubator covers and nests) and the more extended Newborn Individualized Developmental Care and Assessment Program... Show moreThis thesis explores the effects of a basic form of developmental care (the use of incubator covers and nests) and the more extended Newborn Individualized Developmental Care and Assessment Program (NIDCAP) on health related quality of life and behavior of very preterm infants. The effects on parents__ stress and their experiences with developmental care are also explored. This thesis furthermore evaluates the attitudes and experiences with the NIDCAP program of the personnel at a Dutch neonatal intensive care unit. Show less