Strengthening mother-child interactions among mothers and children with behavior problems at early development.

The present study examined the effectiveness of a personalized remote video feedback parenting program to improve mother-child interactions and child behavior outcomes among mothers of children with behavior problems in comparison to counterparts with no behavior problems. The sample comprised 60 mothers and their 2-to-6-year-old children, including children with behavior problems (BP = 19) and children without behavior problems (NoBP = 41). The Strengthening Bonds program included one in-person group session and remote personalized video feedback about their mother-child interactions in a play situation via smartphone for six weeks. Mother-child interactions were the primary outcome, and children's behaviors were the secondary outcome. Pre- and post-intervention assessments were performed. The mother-child interactions were recorded during free- and structured-play situations and were then analyzed by the Parenting Interactions with Children: Checklist of Observations Linked to Outcomes (PICCOLO) and the Dynamics of the dyad activity coding system. Additionally, the mothers answered the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. The results showed that, in the post-intervention, the mother-child interaction pattern improved in the BP group, especially in the teaching dimension of the PICCOLO. Also, after the program, more children with normal classification were in the BP group.

Stress and self-regulation behaviors in preterm neonates hospitalized at open-bay and single-family room Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) could be a risk factor for the development of preterm neonates due to the stressful procedures they undergo. Stress-related behaviors must be managed through environmental strategies that support regulating the neonates' biobehavioural system to minimize the negative impact on their development. The study aimed to compare the NICU environment's stressful procedures and developmental care strategies and the stress and self-regulation behaviors of preterm neonates in groups differentiated by the NICU environmental design. The sample comprised 20 preterm neonates hospitalized in a NICU with an open-bay model (OB NICU) and 20 preterm neonates hospitalized in a single-family room model (SFR NICU). The stressful procedures were assessed by the Neonatal Infant Stressor Scale (NISS). The developmental care strategies and the preterm neonates' stress and self-regulation behaviors were assessed using a structured observational protocol. The between-group comparison was performed by the Mann-Whitney test, and the significance level was set at 5%. Both NICUs had similar stressful procedures and developmental care approaches. However, the preterm neonates hospitalized in the SFR NICU exhibited significantly fewer total stress behaviors, and specifically in the motor system, compared to those in the OB NICU. Additionally, the preterm neonates hospitalized in the SFR NICU exhibited significantly more total self-regulation behaviors, and specifically in the behavioral state system, compared to those in the OB NICU. The findings showed that the single-family room NICU model was consistent with the environmental protection of biobehavioural regulation in preterm neonates hospitalized in the NICU.

Maternal History of Adversity and Subsequent Mother-Child Interactions at Early Ages: A Systematic Review.

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can negatively impact physical, emotional, cognitive, and social development, consequently affecting the next generation. The aim of the present study was to systematically review evidence from empirical studies on the association between maternal history of adversity in childhood (maltreatment and household dysfunction) and subsequent mother-child interactions at an early age. A search was performed in the PubMed, Web of Science, PsycINFO, EMBASE, Scopus, LILACS, and SciELO databases to identify studies, including measures of maternal childhood adversities and mother-child interaction, published between 2016 and 2022. Twenty-nine studies met the inclusion criteria. The results showed that in 90% of the studies, maternal childhood adversities negatively impacted subsequent mother-child interactions in early childhood, reducing maternal displays of affection, emotional availability, sensitivity, mother-child communication, and bonding. Biological factors (e.g., genetic and hormonal) and maternal emotional recognition moderated these associations. In addition, biological factors (i.e., neurobiological and hormonal) and psychosocial factors (e.g., depression, executive functioning, and violence) acted as mediators. Preventive interventions should be implemented to break out of the intergenerational cycle of violence that impacts mother-child interactions.

The impact of preterm birth on the executive functioning of preschool children: A systematic review.

This paper presents a systematic review of the impact of preterm childbirth on the later executive functioning of preschool-aged children. A systematic search for studies published between 2014 and 2019 was performed using the following keywords: executive funct* AND preterm AND child. The methodological quality of the reports was examined using the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) statement. Thirty-two studies were reviewed and scored at least 67% on the methodological quality assessment. In comparison to children born full-term, preschool children born preterm exhibit executive functioning deficits in the dimensions of the global index, inhibitory control, cognitive flexibility, working memory, and planning/executive functioning. These findings are independent of the degree of prematurity at birth. Since executive functioning has many complex components, future studies should assess the dimensions of executive functioning separately in preschool-aged children born preterm, rather than as a single measure.

Development of neonatal high-risk preterm infants in comparison to full-term counterparts.

Studies on preterm infants usually exclude high-risk neonatal infants with neurological problems. However, it is important to study high-risk preterm infants to better understand later developmental problems. Therefore, this cross-sectional study aimed to compare the cognitive, motor, language, and social-emotional development of high-risk preterm (PT) infants with infants born full-term (FT) with no biological vulnerabilities during early development (up to the first 15 months of age). The sample comprised 133 infants (54 born PT and 79 born FT) assessed in independent subsamples at 6-8 and 12-15 months of age, considering the corrected age for prematurity in the PT infants. Infant development (cognitive, motor, language, and social-emotional) was evaluated using the Bayley-III Scales. Medical charts were reviewed to obtain the clinical history. A multivariate analysis of variance and analysis of variance tests were performed to examine the differences between groups related to infant developmental indicators, controlling for age and socioeconomic variables. Although the PT infants performed significantly more poorly than their FT counterparts, the scores of the PT group were still within the normal range on all Bayley-III domains (cognitive, language, motor, and social-emotional) than their FT counterparts. The findings of the present study provide a better understanding of the developmental prognosis of high-risk PT infants and extend support for preventive intervention programs to improve early childhood development.

Maternal sociodemographic factors differentially affect the risk of behavioral problems in Brazilian and Italian preterm toddlers.

The main aim of the present study was to examine differences in behavioral problems in toddlers born very preterm in Brazil and Italy. The sample comprised 154 toddlers (18-24 months of age) born very preterm, including 76 toddlers from Brazil and 78 toddlers from Italy. The Child Behavior Checklist was used to assess behavioral problems. Specific sociodemographic factors (i.e., maternal age at childbirth and maternal education) and neonatal factors (i.e., gestational age, sex, and length of hospitalization) were tested as potential mediators of country-related differences in behavioral problems. Brazilian toddlers presented more internalizing, externalizing, and total behavioral problems compared with their Italian counterparts. The effect of country on the toddlers' internalizing and total behavioral problems was mediated by maternal age at childbirth and education. Independent effects of country, maternal age at childbirth, and maternal education emerged for externalizing behavioral problems. No significant effect emerged for neonatal variables. These findings suggest that sociodemographic factors, in addition to country-related differences, should be considered when assessing the risk of behavioral problems in preterm toddlers.

Temperament and behavior in toddlers born preterm with related clinical problems.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare temperament and behavior profiles among groups of preterm toddlers differentiated by level of prematurity and the presence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) or retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), controlling for neonatal clinical conditions and chronological age. METHOD: The sample comprised 100 preterm toddlers segregated according to level of prematurity (75 very preterm and 25 moderate/late preterm) and presence of BPD (n=36) and ROP (n=63). Temperament was assessed by the Early Childhood Behavior Questionnaire and behavior by the Child Behavior Checklist. The MANOVA was performed with a post-hoc univariate test. RESULTS: The level of prematurity and the presence of BPD and ROP did not affect temperament and behavioral problems in toddlers born preterm. However, the covariates age and length of stay in NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) affected temperament and behavioral problems, respectively. The older toddlers showed higher inhibitory control and lower activity levels than younger toddlers (range of 18-36months-old). Additionally, toddlers who stayed in the NICU longer showed more pervasive development and emotionally reactive problems than toddlers who stayed in NICU for less time. CONCLUSION: The level of prematurity and the presence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia and retinopathy of prematurity did not affect temperament and behavioral problems in toddlers born preterm. However, a longer stay in the NICU increased the risk for behavioral problems, and age enhanced the regulation of temperament at toddlerhood.

Impact of neonatal risk and temperament on behavioral problems in toddlers born preterm.

Children born preterm are at risk for later developmental disorders. The present study examined the predictive effects of neonatal, sociodemographic, and temperament characteristics on behavioral outcomes at toddlerhood, in children born preterm. The sample included 100 toddlers born preterm and with very-low-birth-weight, and their mothers. Neonatal characteristics were evaluated using medical records. The mothers were interviewed using the Early Childhood Behavior Questionnaire for temperament assessment, and the Child Behavior Checklist for behavioral assessment. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed. Predictors of 39% of the variability of the total behavioral problems in toddlers born prematurely were: temperament with more Negative Affectivity and less Effortful Control, lower family socioeconomic status, and younger mothers at childbirth. Temperament with more Negative Affectivity and less Effortful Control and lower family socioeconomic status were predictors of 23% of the variability of internalizing behavioral problems. Additionally, 37% of the variability of externalizing behavioral problems was explained by temperament with more Negative Affectivity and less Effortful Control, and younger mothers at childbirth. The neonatal characteristics and stressful events in the neonatal intensive care unit did not predict behavioral problems at toddlerhood. However, temperament was a consistent predictor of behavioral problems in toddlers born preterm. Preventive follow-up programs could assess dispositional traits of temperament to provide early identification of preterm infants at high-risk for behavioral problems.

Neurobehavioral development prior to term-age of preterm infants and acute stressful events during neonatal hospitalization.

BACKGROUND: Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) protect preterm infants; otherwise, this is a stressful environment including painful stimuli. AIMS: To compare early neurobehavioral development prior to term-age in preterm infants at 34-36weeks of post-conceptional age in different gestational ages, and to examine the effects of prematurity level and acute stressful events during NICU hospitalization on neurobehavioral development. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional design. SUBJECTS: Forth-five preterm infants, 34-36weeks of post-conceptional age, were distributed into groups: extreme preterm (EPT; 23-28weeks of gestational age; n=10), moderate preterm (MPT; 29-32weeks of gestational age; n=10), late preterm (LPT; 34-36weeks of gestational age; n=25). OUTCOME MEASURES: All of the neonates were evaluated using the Neurobehavioral Assessment of Preterm Infant (NAPI) prior to 37weeks of post-conceptional age. The Neonatal Infant Stressor Scale (NISS) was applied for EPT and MPT infants during NICU hospitalization, and medical charts were analyzed. RESULTS: The EPT group experienced significantly more acute stressful events during NICU hospitalization than the MPT group. The MPT group had lower scores in motor development and vigor than the EPT and LPT group, and they exhibited poorer quality crying than the LPT group. Motor development and vigor and alertness and orientation in preterm infants were predicted by prematurity level and acute stressful events. CONCLUSION: The extreme preterm was exposed to higher stressful experiences than moderate and late preterm infants. However, the moderate preterm infants presented more vulnerable than the other counterparts in motor and vigor outcomes.

Non-pharmacological management of neonatal pain: Research and clinical practice in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit / Manejo não farmacológico da dor neonatal: pesquisa e prática clínica na Unidade de Terapia Intensiva Neonatal

According to the World Health Organization and the International Association for the Study of Pain, pain is a relevant worldwide problem in the healthcare field. The present study aimed to describe the definition of pediatric pain and the main characteristics, and to examine the findings regarding the impact of pain on the development of the child. The best clinical practices in Neonatal Intensive Care Units should include developmental care and specifically implement pain management, aiming to protect the health and development of the infants. The efficacious non-pharmacological management of neonatal pain includes breastfeeding, skin-to-skin, non-nutritive sucking, facilitated-tucking and swaddling. Sweet solutions also have pain relief effects. Psychologists could actively participate in the implementation of non-pharmacological interventions and in the whole process to sensitize and train the professional teams, to alert parents to protection against pain and to support policymakers in the implementation of pain guidelines in the hospital.

De acordo com a Organização Mundial de Saúde e a Associação Internacional para o Estudo da Dor, a dor é um problema mundial relevante na área da Saúde. O presente estudo teve por objetivo descrever a definição da dor pediátrica e principais características, assim como examinar achados sobre impactos da dor no desenvolvimento da criança. As melhores práticas clínicas devem incluir o cuidado ao desenvolvimento nas Unidades de Terapia Intensiva Neonatal e, especificamente, a implementação do manejo da dor, visando proteger o desenvolvimento e saúde dos bebês. O manejo não-farmacológico da dor neonatal inclui amamentação, leite humano, sucção não-nutritiva, toque facilitador e enrolamento. As soluções adocicadas, como glicose e sacarose, também têm efeitos de alívio de dor. Psicólogos podem participar ativamente das intervenções não-farmacológicas e todo processo de sensibilizar e treinar equipes de profissionais, alertar familiares para proteção contra a dor e dar suporte aos dirigentes na implementação dos protocolos de dor no hospital.

Neonatal characteristics and temperament predict behavior problems in children born preterm

The preterm birth is a risk factor for child developmental and behavioral problems OBJECTIVE: to examine whether neonatal clinical characteristics of infants born preterm, as well as temperament assessed in toddlerhood, predict behavior problems during the preschool years METHODS: twenty-one children born preterm with very low birth weight were assessed longitudinally at three different ages: in the neonatal period, during toddlerhood, and in preschool. Medical charts were reviewed to assess infants' clinical illness characteristics at the neonatal phase. Mothers fulfilled the Early Childhood Behavior Questionnaire for assessing temperament at the toddlerhood and the Child Behavior Checklist-1.5-5 for assessing children's behavior problems at the preschool age RESULTS: very low birth weight associated with child temperament at the toddlerhood predicted behavior problems at the preschool age. High levels of excitement about expected pleasurable activities as well as low levels of inhibitory control increased the chance of exhibiting externalizing behavior problems. Otherwise, high levels of both gross and fine motor activation increased the chance of exhibiting internalizing behavior problems CONCLUSION: prematurity associated with temperament of poor self-regulation in developmental processes comprises a multiple-risk condition for clinical behavior problems in the preschool age...

O nascimento prematuro constitui-se em fator de risco para problemas de desenvolvimento e comportamento da criança OBJETIVO: verificar se características clínicas neonatais de recém-nascidos pré-termo, bem como o temperamento avaliado na primeira infância são preditores de problemas de comportamento durante a fase pré-escolar MÉTODO: vinte e uma crianças nascidas pré-termo com muito baixo peso foram avaliadas longitudinalmente em três idades diferentes: no período neonatal, durante a primeira infância, e na fase pré-escolar. Os prontuários médicos foram revisados para avaliar as características clínicas das crianças durante a fase neonatal. As mães responderam o Early Childhood Behavior Questionnaire para avaliação do temperamento na primeira infância e o Child Behavior Checklist-1.5-5 para avaliação dos problemas de comportamento das crianças na fase pré-escolar RESULTADOS: muito baixo peso ao nascimento, associado às características do temperamento da criança, na primeira infância, foram preditores de problemas de comportamento na fase pré-escolar, em crianças nascidas pré-termo. Altos níveis de antecipação positiva, bem como baixos níveis de controle inibitório, aumentaram o risco de as crianças apresentarem problemas de comportamento do tipo externalizantes. Por outro lado, altos níveis de ativação motora ampla e fina aumentaram o risco de as crianças apresentarem problemas de comportamento do tipo internalizantes CONCLUSÃO: a prematuridade, associada a indicadores do temperamento com baixa autorregulação, caracterizam-se como condições de múltiplo risco para problemas de comportamento em crianças na fase pré-escolar...

Pain reactivity and recovery in preterm neonates: latency, magnitude, and duration of behavioral responses.

BACKGROUND: Studies on acute-procedural pain in neonates have been based more on single behavioral scores than on response patterns. AIM: To assess the individual reactivity and recovery pattern to the painful procedure of blood collection. STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional, within-group comparison trial. SUBJECTS: Forty-eight preterm and very low birth weight neonates hospitalized in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. OUTCOME MEASURES: The assessment was divided into five consecutive phases: Baseline (BL); Antisepsis (A), covering the period of handling of the neonate for antisepsis prior to puncture; Puncture (P); Recovery-Dressing (RD), covering the period of handling of the neonate for dressing until positioning for rest in the isolette; and Recovery-Resting (RR). Facial activity was recorded by video, and sleep-wake state was recorded at the bedside. The facial activity of the neonates was analyzed according to Neonatal Facial Coding System (NFCS). The pain reactivity pattern was analyzed using the measures of latency, magnitude, and duration of behavioral responses and by comparison between the different phases. RESULTS: In the Antisepsis phase, the neonates showed higher NFCS score and behavioral arousal than at Baseline. In the Puncture phase, the neonates showed higher NFCS score and behavioral activation than in Baseline and in Antisepsis. In Recovery-Dressing, 31% of neonates continued to show more behavioral activation than at Baseline. CONCLUSION: To better assess and manage pain in preterm neonates, it is relevant to analyze the individual patterns of changes, focusing on the reactivity and also the recovery, during painful stimuli.

Pain and distress reactivity and recovery as early predictors of temperament in toddlers born preterm.

BACKGROUND: Pain reactivity may reflect underlying mechanisms of constitutional aspects of temperament. AIM: To examine whether the neonatal biobehavioral reactivity and recovery responses from pain and distress, as well as the gestational age, the illness severity and the amount of painful procedures undergone the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) stay, predict temperament later in toddlerhood, in vulnerable children born preterm. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective-longitudinal study. SUBJECTS: Twenty-six preterm and very low birth weight infants followed from birth to toddlerhood. OUTCOME MEASURES: Illness severity was assessed with the Clinical Risk Index for Babies (CRIB) score. The medical charts were reviewed prospectively for obtaining the amount of pain exposure in NICU. For assessing the behavioral and cardiac reactivity and recovery from pain and distress, the neonates were evaluated during routine blood collection in the NICU in the first 10 days of life. Pain and distress reactivity and recovery was measured using the Neonatal Facial Coding System score, the duration of crying, and the magnitude of average heart rate. At toddlerhood, mothers answered the Early Childhood Behavior Questionnaire. RESULTS: Higher biobehavioral reactivity to pain and distress predicted higher temperamental Negative Affect, above and beyond gestational age, illness severity and amount of pain exposure in NICU. However, we did not find a predictive relation between gestational age, CRIB score and number of painful procedures undergone NICU and toddler's temperament. CONCLUSIONS: The findings highlight the relevance of the neonatal individual characteristics of reactivity for identifying more vulnerable infants for future problems in biobehavioral regulation.

Pain and tactile stimuli during arterial puncture in preterm neonates.

The purpose of this study was to assess the behavioral and physiological reactivity of preterm neonates during different phases of a blood collection procedure involving arterial puncture. The sample consisted of 43 preterm and very low birth weight neonates with a postnatal age of 1 to 21 days who were hospitalized in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. The neonates were evaluated during the whole blood collection procedure. The assessment was divided into five consecutive phases: Baseline (BL); Antisepsis (A), covering the period of handling of the neonate for antisepsis prior to puncture; Puncture (P); Recovery-Dressing (RD), covering the period of handling of the neonate for dressing until positioning for rest in the isolette; and Recovery-Resting (RR). Facial activity was videotaped and analyzed using the Neonatal Facial Coding System (NFCS). The sleep-wake state and heart rate were registered at the bedside. There was a significant increase in NFCS score and heart rate, and more active behavior during phases A, P, and RD relative to BL. Regarding the tactile stimulation of the infant in pre-puncture (A) and post-puncture (RD), it was observed increased NFCS score, heart rate, and active behavior in comparison to the BL and RR phases. There was evidence of distress responses immediately before and after a painful event, quite apart from the pain reaction to the puncture procedure.

Is pain relief equally efficacious and free of side effects with repeated doses of oral sucrose in preterm neonates?

The aim of the present study was to examine the efficacy and potential side effects of repeated doses of oral sucrose for pain relief during procedures in NICU. Thirty-three preterm neonates were randomly allocated in blind fashion into two groups, the sucrose group (SG=17) and the control group (CG=16). The responses of neonates to pain and distress were assessed during blood collection on four consecutive assessment (ass.) days. For the first assessment, the neonates did not receive any solution before the blood collection procedure. During the next three days, the SG received oral sucrose (25%; 0.5 ml/kg) and the CG received sterile water, 2 min before each minor acute painful procedure. The neonates were evaluated during blood collection each morning. The assessment was divided into five phases: Baseline (BL), Antisepsis (A), Puncture (P), Dressing (D), and Recovery (R). The neonates' facial activity (NFCS), behavioral state, and heart rate were evaluated. The data analysis used cut-off scores for painful and distressful responses. No side effects of using sucrose were detected. There were significantly fewer SG neonates with facial actions signaling pain than CG neonates in P (ass.2) and in A (ass.3). We found significantly fewer SG neonates in the awake state than CG neonates in P (ass.2 and ass.4). There were significantly fewer SG neonates crying during A (ass.2), P (ass.2 and ass.4), and D (ass.3). There was no statistical difference between-groups for physiological response. The efficacy of sucrose was maintained for pain relief in preterm neonates with no side effects.

Dor, autorregulação e temperamento em recém-nascidos pré-termo de alto risco / Pain, self-regulation and temperament in high risk preterm newborns

Os recém-nascidos pré-termo são expostos a experiências dolorosas inevitáveis na Unidade de Terapia Intensiva Neonatal. Apesar de sua imaturidade biológica, esses podem tanto perceber quanto reagir à dor. A exposição repetida à dor exerce impacto negativo no desenvolvimento e pode aumentar a vulnerabilidade dos bebês, dificultando os processos autorregulatórios. A reatividade biocomportamental à dor é um indicador de autorregulação e associa-se ao temperamento da criança. Esses bebês necessitam de estratégias farmacológicas e não farmacológicas para alívio da dor. Além disso, devem ter um contexto de interações sincrônicas com os pais, adaptadas às suas características de temperamento. Os profissionais de saúde podem atuar como suporte de regulação externa para esses bebês promovendo alívio da dor e prevenindo problemas de desenvolvimento.

High risk preterm newborns are exposed to unavoidable painful experiences in Neonatal Intensive Care Units. In spite of their biological immaturity, they are able to perceive and react to pain stimuli. Repetitive exposure to pain has a negative impact on the development and may increase the infant's vulnerability, affecting self-regulatory processes. Biobehavioral reactivity to pain is an indicator of self-regulation and it is associated to the child's temperament. Preterm infants need pharmacological and non-pharmacological strategies for pain relieving. Moreover, they need a context of synchronic interaction with their parents which must be adapted to their temperament characteristics. Health professionals may play an important role in supporting external regulation for those infants, promoting pain relief and preventing development problems.

Cuidado ao desenvolvimento: intervenções de proteção ao desenvolvimento inicial de recém-nascidos pré-termo: [revisão] / Developmental care: protection approach for early development of preterm infants: [review]

OBJETIVO: Revisar ensaios clínicos randomizados, publicados entre 2002 e 2009, sobre a eficácia de intervenções em Cuidado ao Desenvolvimento em recém-nascidos pré-termo em Unidade de Terapia Intensiva Neonatal. FONTES DE DADOS: Foram selecionados estudos randomizados dos bancos de dados Medline, PsycINFO, ISI Web of Science, LILACS e SciELO, usando-se as palavras-chave "developmental care" e "neonate". Realizou-se uma análise metodológica dos estudos, com base nos critérios: randomização, estimativa do tamanho amostral, perda amostral, critérios de inclusão e exclusão, controle de variáveis de confusão, validade dos instrumentos, condição "cega" do pesquisador, realização de seguimento, validades externa e ecológica e cuidados éticos. SÍNTESE DOS DADOS: As intervenções em Cuidado ao Desenvolvimento promoveram melhora em curto prazo nos resultados fisiológicos, comportamentais, neurológicos e clínicos dos recém-nascidos. Observou-se diminuição da reatividade à dor nos recém-nascidos durante procedimentos de pesagem e troca de fraldas. Os pais que receberam intervenções em Cuidado ao Desenvolvimento passaram a apresentar maior senso de competência para cuidar do recém-nascido. Os profissionais treinados em Cuidado ao Desenvolvimento demonstraram melhor desempenho na assistência ao recém-nascido e valorizaram mais os estímulos ambientais, físicos e sociais. CONCLUSÕES: Intervenções em Cuidado ao Desenvolvimento na Unidade de Terapia Intensiva Neonatal promoveram benefícios ao desenvolvimento e saúde dos recém-nascidos pré-termo no período neonatal e no primeiro ano de vida. Em estudos futuros, recomenda-se maior rigor metodológico no que se refere à condição de pesquisador "cego" em relação às intervenções e controle das variáveis de confusão. Estudos prospectivo-longitudinais são necessários para avaliar a eficácia das intervenções em médio e longo prazo no desenvolvimento.

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE: To review randomized clinical trials published from 2002 to 2009 focusing on the efficacy of Developmental Care interventions in preterm infants in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. DATA SOURCE: Randomized trials were selected from Medline, PsycINFO, ISI Web of Science, LILACS, and SciELO databases using the keywords "developmental care" and "neonate". A critical methodological analysis of the studies was performed based on the following criteria: random allocation, estimate of sample size, drop-out sample, inclusion and exclusion criteria, control of confounding variables, validity of instruments, researcher "blind" condition for intervention group, presence of follow-up, external and ecological validities, and ethical approval. DATA SYNTHESIS: The Developmental Care interventions improved short-term outcomes as physiological, behavioral, neurological and clinical status of newborns. Decreased infants' pain reactivity was noted during weighing and diaper change procedures. Parents exposed to Developmental Care interventions showed higher sense of competence to take care of the newborns. The staff trained in Developmental Care interventions showed better performance when looking after infants and paid more attention to the environmental, physical and social stimuli. CONCLUSIONS: The Developmental Care interventions in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit promoted beneficial effects on development and health of preterm infants in the neonatal period and the first year of life. In future studies, a higher methodological control of blindness of intervention and confusion variables is recommended. Prospective-longitudinal studies should address the evaluation of this intervention on medium- and long-term developmental outcomes.