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 intervention in the form of family-centred developmentally supportive care according to NIDCAP((R)) (Newborn Individualized Developmental Care and Assessment Program) on the development and behaviour of the child and on the mother-child interaction at 3 years of age. Two groups of very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants (< or = 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 formal NIDCAP observation once every 10 days. Development was assessed using the Griffiths' Developmental Scale II in conjunction with a neurological examination. Behaviour was assessed on the basis of a parental interview. Mother-child interaction was assessed according to the Parent-Child Early Relational Assessment Scale (ERA). There was no significant difference in motor development. The total developmental quotient (DQ) on the Griffiths' developmental 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 was 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 certain positive long-term effects on the child's behaviour and mother-child interaction.