Child Health Nurs Res.  2018 Jan;24(1):58-67. 10.4094/chnr.2018.24.1.58.

Factors Related to the Development of Premature Infants at 12 and 24 Months Age: A Prospective Study

• Bang KS
• Kang HJ

• KMID: 2437159
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4094/chnr.2018.24.1.58

Abstract

PURPOSE
This prospective study aimed to examine the development of premature infants at 12 and 24 months and to explore the factors related to their development.
METHODS
Of the 80 premature infants who were recruited, 52 participants at 12 months and 31 participants at 24months were included in this study. The development of the infants was examined using the Korean Bayley scale of infant development-II. Postnatal depression, husband's support, social support, mother-infant attachment, and the home environment were assessed using self-report questionnaires completed by the mothers and through the researcher's observations.
RESULTS
There was significant difference between normal and delay group at psychomotor development at 12 months depending on social support at 6 months (t=2.03, p=.049). Mother-infant attachment at 6 months (r=.71,p < .001), 12 months (r=.37, p=.043), and 24 months (r=.40, p=.026), as well as social support (r=.38,p=.034) and the home environment (r=.41, p=.022) at 24 months, were correlated to mental development at 24 months. There was a significant positive correlation between mother-infant attachment at 6 months and psychomotor development at 24months (r=.40, p=.046).
CONCLUSION
To reduce the risk of developmental delay and to promote healthy development in premature infants, early nursing interventions targeting mother-infant attachment, the home environment, and the mother's social support structure are needed.

Keyword

Premature infant; Growth and development; Prospective studies

MeSH Terms

Depression, Postpartum
Female
Growth and Development
Humans
Infant
Infant, Newborn
Infant, Premature*
Mothers
Nursing
Prospective Studies*