A Family-Centered Intervention Program for Preterm Infants: Effects and Their Biosocial Pathways
A Family-Centered Intervention Program for Preterm Infants: Effects and Their Biosocial Pathways
Four hypotheses will be tested in this study:

 1. The intervention group performs better in child, parent and transactions outcomes than
 the control group throughout the follow-up period.

 2. The intervention group shows greater changes in early neurophysiological brain functions
 and transactions within the family that lead to better neurodevelopmental outcomes than
 the control group.

 3. Certain polymorphisms of the dopamine-related genes are associated with the
 neurodevelopmental outcomes in VLBW preterm infants.

 4. Very low birth weight preterm infants carrying more genetic plasticity in the
 dopamine-related genes may benefit more from the interventions than those carrying less
 genetic plasticity.
A total of 275 VLBW preterm infants (269 participants and 6 pilots) were recruited at three
 medical centers in northern and southern Taiwan and were randomly assigned to the FCIP or UCP
 group. Outcome assessments included primary (neurobehavioral development) and secondary
 measures (neurophysiological performance, parents' stress and transactions within the
 family). The neurophysiological and transactions data were examined for whether they mediate
 intervention effects on child development. In addition, these infants 219 VLBW preterm
 infants and 118 term infants in our prior intervention studies were collected buccal cells
 for assessment of the polymorphisms of dopamine-related genes, which are involved in the
 neurotransmission of cognitive, sensorimotor and behavioral-emotional systems and postulated
 to be associated with several developmental and psychiatric illnesses. The polymorphisms of
 dopamine-related genes were examined for potential moderating influence on the effects of the
 intervention for child development.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  birth body weight < 1500 grams

 -  gestational age < 37 weeks

 -  parents of Taiwan nationality, married or together at delivery, and northern family
 residing in greater Taipei and southern family residing in greater Tainan, Kaohsiung,
 or Chiayi

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  severe neonatal and perinatal diseases (e.g., seizures, hydrocephalus, meningitis,
 grade III-IV IVH and grade II NEC)

 -  congenital or chromosome abnormality

 -  mother < 18 years, with mental retardation or history of maternal substance abuse at
 any time (smoking, alcohol, and drug)

 Terminated Criteria:

 -  diagnosis of brain injury (e.g., PVL, stage IV ROP or greater)

 -  severe cardiopulmonary disease requiring invasive or non-invasive ventilator use at
 hospital discharge

 -  hospital discharge beyond 44 weeks' post-menstrual age.