The Effect of a Nurse-led Continuous Support Program on Neurodevelopment of Preterm Infants

The Effect of Nurse-led Continuous Support Program on Neurodevelopment of Preterm Infants and Psychological Well-being of the Parents: A Randomized Controlled Trial

The objective of the study is to establish a continuous nurse-led integrated support program and to exam its impact on preterm infant neurodevelopment. Research hypotheses include:1. The continuous nurse-led integrated support will have significant impact on preterm infant neurodevelopment; 2.The support program will also have positive effect on parent psychological well-being.

The objective of the study is to establish the continuous nurse-led integrated support program as well as exam its impact on neurodevelopmental health of preterm infants. Research hypotheses: Compared to control group, the preterm infants in the interventional group will experience significantly better performance on neuromotor, cognitive and social-emotional function at corrected age of 3 month; In comparison with those receiving routine support, parents receiving nurse-led continuous support will have significantly higher parental self-efficacy and exhibited better psychological well-being; Maternal parenting self-efficacy will mediate the relationship between nurse-led support and preterm infant neurodevelopment.

continuous care group (CCG): This is the experimental group where continuous care supported would be offered by the nurse coordinated integrative health care team. which is, parents in this group receive support during infant hospitalization. The support covers both hospitalization phase and after-discharge phase. In-hospital support include educational support and promoting mother-infant attachment. Nurses will be responsible for home visits after infant discharge.

Routine Care Group (RCG): This is the comparison group of preterm infants. the routine care interventions generally include telephone reminding about follow-up care of the infants and hotline for parents to call when needed.

The Nurse-Led Continuous Support was provided by a integrative care team. In-hospital support included(1) Promoting early parental-infant interaction;(2) Instruct the mother and/or father to use sensory stimulation activities to promote infant neuro-development in the NICU;(3) Parental educational support. The integrative care team will teach infant care skills, prepare them for successful transition from hospital to home setting. After infant discharge support will consist of regular home visits by the nurses. Home visits will be offered every other week until children reaching 3 Months of corrected age.

after infant discharge, parents were usually called upon to remind the date and time of follow-up care with physicians in outpatient department. A contact number was also given to parents in case they have questions about follow-up care.

preterm infant will be assessed by the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ). The scale is used to help parent evaluate the development outcome of infants and young children by themselves.

Edinburgh postnatal depression scale (EPDS) will be used to assess psychological well-being of preterm mothers.

Inclusion Criteria: Preterm infants born between 28-36 weeks of gestation; Parents residing in the same region for at least 5 years; .Parents agree to participate in the study. Exclusion Criteria: infants with severe perinatal brain injury; infant with congenital anomalies