Early developmental screening and intervention for high-risk neonates - from research to clinical benefits

Abstract

With advances in neonatal care there has been an increase in survival rates for infants born very preterm and/or with complex needs, such as those who require major surgery, who may not have survived decades ago. Despite advances in survival, these infants remain at high-risk for a range of neurodevelopmental delays and/or impairments including motor, cognitive and emotional/behavioural challenges. Research has improved our ability to identify which infants are at high-risk of developmental delay and/or impairments, and there is mounting evidence that early interventions can improve outcomes of these infants. However, clinical practice varies throughout the world regarding recommendations for developmental screening. Moreover, intervention, when available, is often not commenced early enough in development. Given limited resources, those infants most at risk of developmental impairments and their families should be targeted, with further research needed on the cost-effectiveness of surveillance and early interventions.