Mental health articles
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infant
developmental assessment in infant
Infant developmental assessment A developmental assessment, for example, using the Neonatal Behavioural Assessment Scale (Brazelton & Nugent, 1995), shared with the parents at the time of taking their baby home gives important information to the clinician and the family. The assessment allows the parents to observe their baby’s unique characteristics, response to handling, and strengths, […]
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Hospital ecology for premature infant
Hospital ecology for premature infant For many parents of a premature or very sick infant, the first real meeting with the baby is in the NICU. The baby is in a Perspex box, attached to machines that emit intermittent electronic sounds. There is no privacy. Often, parents are shocked at the size and colour […]
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Relationship between the premature infant and caregiver
Relationship between the premature infant and caregiver Many researchers of prematurity have looked at the relationship between the infant and her caregiver and the effect of prematurity on that relationship. The interaction between parent and infant, and caregiver responsivity, is a key component of the child’s final intellectual and behavioural outcome. It has been noted, […]
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Biological risk factors for premature infants
Biological risk factors for premature infants The dramatic increase in survival of low-birthweight infants, especially the ELBW, has been accompanied by a higher incidence of neuropsychiatric disorders in this population (see Minde, 2000, for studies). Lorenz et al. (1998) have suggested from their recent study in a population of ELBW infants, that each 1 per […]
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Risk and protective factors for premature infant
Risk and protective factors It is well known that premature and very sick infants are at risk for developmental problems (Bennett, 1988). Most studies initially focused on neurological and cognitive outcomes, although some studies have also included behavioural outcomes (see Minde, 2000, for studies). More recently, studies have included emotional development and mother–infant relationship in […]
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Effects on infant and parent mental health
Effects on infant and parent mental health As noted previously, there is little evidence available on the effects of disability or delay in an infant on infant mental health. It is clear, however, that there is a process of grief that parents go through and there are possible effects on the establishment of the attachment […]
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Going home with a premature infant
Going home with a premature infant As the time for discharge approaches, parents are encouraged to be more involved in the care of their infant. Most families have had contact with a social worker and their psychosocial needs assessed. At most hospitals there is a discharge planner who assists the family in the transition to […]
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Parental involvement during infant hospitalisation
Parental involvement during infant hospitalisation In recent years efforts have been made to facilitate parents’ participation in the care of their infants through the introduction of such programs as the Newborn Individualised Developmental Care and Assessment Program (NIDCAP) (Als, 1982, 1986, 1991) and family-centred neonatal care (Sizun, Ratynski & Boussard, 1999; Symington & Pinelli, 2003). […]
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Usual hospital care of the premature infant
Usual hospital care of the premature infant If a woman shows signs of going into premature labour, every effort is made to ensure the best outcome for mother and baby. Effort is made to postpone the labour with bed rest and medication, prepare the foetus for delivery with drugs to strengthen the lungs and/or transport […]
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Psychological factors that may affect infant mental health
Psychological factors that may affect infant mental health include imaginings about the unborn baby and changes to the parent’s identity. This requires a reworking of experiences and attitudes about one’s family of origin experiences. It involves intra-psychic changes as well as actual changes in the relationships with parents and other family members. One aspect of […]
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