Did you know single family rooms can improve cognitive and language outcomes in preterm infants?
In the 2017 study by Vohr and colleagues, entitled Differential Effects of the Single-Family Room Neonatal Intensive Care Unit on 18 to 24-Month Bayley Scores of Preterm Infants, researchers examined the effects of single family rooms compared to open bay wards on developmental outcomes. Nearly 700 infants were enrolled in this study and researchers found single-family rooms improved both the cognitive and language outcomes on the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development at an 18-24 month follow-up. Additionally, increased breastmilk use and volume was noted with single-family rooms which was also positively correlated with improved Bayley motor, cognitive and language scores.
While you may not be able to control the design of your NICU, you can definitely control the type of caregiving you provide. Neuroprotective caregiving directly impacts the development of preterm infants. Creative Therapy Consultants offers a variety of educational opportunities that incorporate hands-on skill development to improve your use of swaddled bathing, neonatal massage, therapeutic handling, skin-to-skin, and much more! Learn more about these programs here!