Non-pharmacological stroking intervention for premature infants

Abstract

Premature birth, when combined with low birth weight, denotes atypical development characterized by greater disturbance and delays in several areas, with neurological, sensory and functional morbidities increasing as the birth weight decreases. Differences in the times the sensory inputs are received seem to change the connectivity and the structure of the cerebral cortex, which justifies the poor neurofunctional performance of pre-term newborns (PTNBs) in tasks related to complex cerebral processes, such as attention and self-regulation. Studies have been conducted on the implementation of PTNB care programs to decrease environmental components that generate stress and to promote a more favorable context to infant development during hospital stay. The intervention programs take into account the daily care routine provided by the multidisciplinary health team or by the infant’s parents. The main goal is to offer an extrauterine environment that is adequate for an immature physiological system. This goal requires a modified sensory environment capable of producing more stable behavioral responses, which are compatible with the critical period of cerebral development of the PTNB7 . The responsiveness of newborns to tactile stimulation in the first days of life is greater than any other sensory modality. Furthermore, growth and cerebral maturity depend on neurotransmitters that are responsive to contact and gentle tactile stimulation. Tactile-kinesthetic stimulation stands out among the available interventions as an effective means to accelerate daily weight gain and to reduce the length of hospital stay of PTNBs.