Longitudinal Follow-up of Prematurely Born Children: Predischarge Outcomes of Hospital Stimulation Programme

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is (a) to present findings from current research of the effect of taped voice and music on the short-term development of the preterm infant and (b) to examine implications for clinical practice suggested by such findings. ORIENTATION TO THE PROBLEM In 1980, in an excellent tertiary level neonatal intensive care unit 91% of infants over 750 grams (1 pound, 10 ounces) survived (Shennan & Milligan, 1980). The capacity to save virtually all viable preterm infants may be associated with an increasing morbidity later in these survivors. Previous follow-up studies of preterm infants in the United States (Lubchenco, Delivoria-Pagadopoulos, & Searls, 1972), in Canada (Fitzhardinge & Ramsey, 1973) and in France (Dargassies, 1977) have shown that the majority of preterm infants demonstrate some type of morbidity. Commonly reported impairments are: IQs less than 90 (Drillien, 1967; Fitzhardinge & Ramsey, 1973); behavioural problems (Dargassies, 1979; Douglas, 1960; Robinson & Robinson, 1965); motor disorders (Dargassies, 1979); and difficulties in school performance (DeHirsch, Jansky, & Langford, 1966; Drillien, 1967; Fitzhardinge & Ramsey, 1973).