Communication in preterm infants: Why is it different?

Abstract

The present paper selectively reviews the literature which compares full-term and pnkrm infants' communication with their mothers in the first year of life. The review is focused not only on what differences are found between full-term and preterm infants, but also why such differences exist. Particular emphasis is placed on the importance of inbrprethg the findings in the light of the developmental phase of the infants, the heterogeneity of the pmtum population and the situation in which communication is studied. Most studies were not designed to consider these issues in any detail. Differences with respect to these factors can be found between studies, however, which may have contributed to the often contradictory findings. Consequently, compvisOne between these studies provide clues about the effects of these factors on communicative development. The ultimate goal of this review is to point to important directions for future research on early communication in preterm infants.

Comparative Network Analysis of Preterm vs. Full-Term Infant-Mother Interactions

“…This finding is in agreement with the observation of van Beek [16], who called this phenomenon ‘infant dominance’. However, occasionally infants followed mothers.…”

“…However, the reported data on the characteristics of the preterm mothers’ behaviors are inconsistent. In some studies the mothers of preterm infants were more active and responsive than mothers of full-term infants [14], [15], whereas other authors found the opposite: the preterm mothers were less active, less sensitive and responsive, and expressed fewer emotions [10], [13], [16].…”

Effects of early mother–infant intervention on outcomes in mothers and moderately and late preterm infants at age 1 year: A randomized controlled trial

“…Early social interaction between preterm infants and their parents depends on the characteristics and behavior of both infants and caregivers, and differs from that of full-term infants in different ways (4). Social interaction starts at an earlier age in their development when the infants are generally more immature and vulnerable and the medical conditions are different (60). The interaction takes place under the physical constraints of the NICU environment, often in the context of parental affects with shock, stress, grief and depression combined with guilt for the preterm birth and anxiety about infant's survival (55), and the ͳͺ parents have to relate to many health care providers of different professional background.…”

Influence of Perinatal Nutrition and Gestational Age on Neurodevelopment of Very Low-Birth-Weight Preterm Infants

“…Very low birth weight is a risk factor for developmental delay, brain damage, epilepsy, mental retardation, motor and sensory deficits, poor academic performance, and delayed language development. [2][3][4][5] Gestational age, birth weight, and clinical complications are often associated. The shorter the duration of pregnancy and the lower the birth weight, the higher the likelihood of complications in the neonatal period.…”