Scaffolding Parenting and Health Development for Preterm Flourishing Across the Life Course

Abstract

Advances in obstetrics and neonatal medicine have resulted in improved survival rates for preterm infants. Remarkably, >75% extremely (<28 weeks) preterm infants who leave the NICU do not experience major neurodevelopmental disabilities, although >50% experience more minor challenges in communication, perception, cognition, attention, regulatory, and executive function that can adversely impact educational and social function resulting in physical, behavioral, and social health issues in adulthood. Even late premature (32–36 weeks) infants have more neurodevelopmental challenges than term infants. Although early intervention and educational programs can mitigate risks of prematurity for children’s developmental trajectories, restrictive eligibility requirement and limitations on frequency and intensity mean that many premature infants must “fail first” to trigger services. Social challenges, including lack of family resources, unsafe neighborhoods, structural racism, and parental substance use, may compound biological vulnerabilities, yet existing services are ill-equipped to respond. An intervention system for premature infants designed according to Life Course Health Development principles would instead focus on health optimization from the start; support emerging developmental capabilities such as self-regulation and formation of reciprocal secure early relationships; be tailored to each child’s unique neurodevelopmental profile and social circumstances; and be vertically, horizontally, and longitudinally integrated across levels (individual, family, community), domains (health, education), and time. Recognizing the increased demands placed on parents, it would include parental mental health supports and provision of trauma-informed care. This developmental scaffolding would incorporate parenting, health, and developmental interventions, with the aim of improved health trajectories across the whole of the life course.