Effect of family integrated care on physical growth and language development of premature infants: a retrospective study

Abstract

Background: Premature birth (PTB) increases the long-term risk of diseases such as hypertension, heart disease, and diabetes in adulthood. It is an independent disease with the largest global burden in terms of high mortality and lifelong negative health impacts. The purpose of this study was to analyze the physical growth and language development of premature infants (PIs) at the age of 18 months, and to explore the impact of family integrated care (FIcare) on PI.

Family Integrated Care Shortens the Duration of Home Oxygen Therapy in Infants With Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia

“…Previous findings show that enhancing parent-infant interaction (Kangaroo mother care or skin-to-skin contact) is conducive to not only the growth of physical indicators but also the emotional needs. 30,31 After all, in the NICU, infants are physically separated from their parents, which affects the physical and psychological health of the parents and the infants. As a way of parent-infant interaction, FIC is a good approach to planning and delivery of healthcare that encourages greater parent involvement in the caring for their infants.…”

“…In terms of our study, the weight of infants at discharge in the FIC group is heavier than that of infants in the non-FIC group (2516.17 ± 492.68 grams vs 2300.29 ± 494.94 grams) (Table 3). Previous findings show that enhancing parent–infant interaction (Kangaroo mother care or skin-to-skin contact) is conducive to not only the growth of physical indicators but also the emotional needs 30,31. After all, in the NICU, infants are physically separated from their parents, which affects the physical and psychological health of the parents and the infants.…”

Family Management Skills Reported by Parents of Preterm Infants in the NICU Using the Self- and Family Management Framework (SFMF)

“…[4][5][6][7] FICare results in benefits for both parents and infants, including demonstrated improvements in infant weight gain and exclusive breastfeeding rates, NICU length of stay, parent confidence and involvement in infant care, parent-infant bonding, and lower symptoms of parent stress, anxiety, and depression. 1,4,[8][9][10][11][12][13] Formal FICare programs do provide structured training to parents through the Parent Education pillar of FICare, in which parents learn how to care for their infant through required parent presence at the bedside (eg, 6-8 hours a day for 5 days a week), frequent small group education sessions, and participation in bedside rounds. Through prolonged parent presence and engagement with the care team, parents not only learn how to complete a wide range of infant care tasks but also learn how to comanage complex care in the NICU as members of the care team.…”

“…In countries across the world, family-integrated care (FICare) has become a standard of care, in which parents are integrated into the care team as equal members and as partners who deliver the majority of infant care in the NICU. 4-7 FICare results in benefits for both parents and infants, including demonstrated improvements in infant weight gain and exclusive breastfeeding rates, NICU length of stay, parent confidence and involvement in infant care, parent–infant bonding, and lower symptoms of parent stress, anxiety, and depression 1,4,8-13. Formal FICare programs do provide structured training to parents through the Parent Education pillar of FICare, in which parents learn how to care for their infant through required parent presence at the bedside (eg, 6-8 hours a day for 5 days a week), frequent small group education sessions, and participation in bedside rounds.…”