Purpose
This prospective study aimed to examine the development of premature infants at 12 and 24 months and to explore the factors related to their development.
Methods
Of the 80 premature infants who were recruited, 52 participants at 12 months and 31 participants at 24 months were included in this study. The development of the infants was examined using the Korean Bayley scale of infant development-II. Postnatal depression, husband’s support, social support, mother-infant attachment, and the home environment were assessed using self-report questionnaires completed by the mothers and through the researcher’s observations.
Results
There was significant difference between normal and delay group at psychomotor development at 12 months depending on social support at 6 months (t=2.03, p=.049). Mother-infant attachment at 6 months (r=.71, p<.001), 12 months (r=.37, p=.043), and 24 months (r=.40, p=.026), as well as social support (r=.38, p=.034) and the home environment (r=.41, p=.022) at 24 months, were correlated to mental development at 24 months. There was a significant positive correlation between mother-infant attachment at 6 months and psychomotor development at 24 months (r=.40, p=.046).
Conclusion
To reduce the risk of developmental delay and to promote healthy development in premature infants, early nursing interventions targeting mother-infant attachment, the home environment, and the mother’s social support structure are needed.

Citations

• Early Parenting Interventions to Enhance Development in Infants and Children Born Prematurely: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
  Won-Oak Oh, Yoo-Jin Heo
  Journal of Pediatric Health Care.2024; 38(6): e1.     CrossRef
• Effect of a Follow-up Program Involving an Early Intervention and Self-help Group on Parenting Stress, Depression, and Parenting Efficacy for Mothers of Premature Infants
  Eun Sun Ji, Jinhee Choi, Kaka Shim
  Journal of The Korean Society of Maternal and Chil.2023; 27(4): 256.     CrossRef
• Parenting Experience of Prematurity Parents Based on Grounded Theory
  Jeong Soon Kim
  Journal of The Korean Society of Maternal and Chil.2019; 23(4): 232.     CrossRef
• Cognitive Ability and Related Factors in Preschoolers Born Prematurely
  Young Mee Ahn, Sangmi Lee
  Child Health Nursing Research.2019; 25(4): 468.     CrossRef