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Stimulation of Preterm Infants

Preterm neonates are deprived of their final weeks in utero and may also be deprived of appropriate extrauterine stimulation. The environment of the incubator features bright light and continuous noise, and the neonates are handled infrequently and only briefly. Although the effects of this environment are virtually unknown, some have suggested that the neonatal intensive care nursery may constitute a source of sensory deprivation. Others have suggested that preterm neonates may be overstimulated or, at the very least, may experience inappropriate patterns, rather than inadequate amounts, of stimulation. Despite the limited data regarding the effects of routine stimulation in the intensive care nursery environment, a number of clinicians and researchers have provided stimulation experiences for preterm neonates and have investigated the effects of these.

STIMULATION STUDIES

The types of interventions provided for preterm neonates have included those that are thought to mimic the environment of the womb or the outside world. Some have viewed the preterm neonate as an extrauterine fetus, whereas others consider that the preterm neonate differs from the fetus insofar as sensory systems undergo physiologic changes at birth. Different forms of stimulation may be necessary for extrauterine development than for intrauterine maturation regardless of gestational age.

Stimulation is usually begun as soon as possible after birth and continues until the infant approximates term gestational age, regains birth weight, or is discharged.

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				T. M. Field Stimulation of Preterm Infants Pediatr. Rev., January 1, 2003; 24(1): 4 - 11. [Full Text] [PDF]