Developmental care, neonatal behavior and postnatal maternal depressive symptomatology predict internalizing problems at 18 months for very preterm children

R. Montirosso, L. Giusti, Lorenzo Giusti, P. De Carli, E. Tronick, R. Borgatti, Renato Borgatti, Fabio Mosca, Odoardo Picciolini, Roberto Bellù, Alberto Del Prete, Rinaldo Zanini, Stefano Visentin, Nadia Battajon, Maria Lucia Di Nunzio, Fiorina Ramacciato, Laura Barberis, Emmanuele Mastretta, Giovanna Carli, Michela Alfiero BordigatoValeria Chiandotto, Cristiana Boiti, Rosangela Litta, Giovanna Minelli, Marcello Napolitano, Alessandro Arco, Palma Mammoliti, Cinzia Fortini, Paolo Tagliabue, Lorenzo Quartulli, Giuliana Motta, Paola Introvini, Rosetta Grigorio, Paola Mussini, Giulia Pomero, Carlo Poggiani, Ananda Bauchiero

Research output: Contribution to journalArticle

11 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To provide a prospective developmental model for behavioral outcomes in preterm infants in relation to developmental care (DC) practices and postnatal maternal depression. STUDY DESIGN: A longitudinal, multicenter, follow-up study conducted in 25 Italian tertiary neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). Participants were 162 healthy very preterm infants and their mothers. The level of quality of DC was assessed for each hospital. Infant's neurobehavioral profile was evaluated twice: at discharge (T1) and at 18 months for behavioral problems (T3). Maternal depressive symptomatology was measured at T1 and at 6 months (T2). RESULTS: Low-quality DC in NICUs was associated with lower levels of infant neurobehavioral adaptability and higher levels of maternal depressive symptoms. Maternal depressive symptomatology in conjunction with higher infant dysregulation predicted more internalizing problems at 18 months of age. CONCLUSION: DC interventions and postnatal maternal depression, as well as infant behavior have an impact on short- and long-term infant outcomes.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)191-195
Number of pages5
JournalJournal of Perinatology
Volume38
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2018
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • neonatal behavior

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