Effect of a parent-provided early intervention program on infant health and development: a randomized controlled trial

Authors

  • Basavaraj K. Department of Neonatology, K. R. Hospital, Mysore Medical College and Research Institute, Mysore, Karnataka, India
  • Sireesha S. Department of Pediatrics, S. S. Institute Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Devangere, Karnataka, India
  • Suresh J. Department of Forensic Medicine, J. J. M. Medical College, Devangere, Karnataka, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2349-3291.ijcp20180965

Keywords:

ASQ/SE questionnaire, Early intervention program, Partners for learning curriculum

Abstract

Background: Early Intervention Program (EIP) is a unique way of providing ideal stimulation, education and care for children. EIP are designed to provide detection, treatment, prevention of handicaps, developmental delays, and environmental deprivation as early in a child's life as possible. Objective of present study were to assess the effect of parent-provided EIP on infant cognitive, psychomotor and socio- emotional behaviors at the completion of age 12 months and to evaluate whether these effects were moderated by the infant feeding practices, general health status and socio-demographic characters.

Methods: The present study was randomized controlled trial conducted at villages under Vantamuri PHC area attached to J.N Medical College, Belgaum during the period May 2012 to August 2013, with a sample size of 64, full term, normal babies and weighing ≥2.5 kg. At the end of 12 months, babies were assessed by an independent evaluator using BSID-II and ASQ/SE questionnaire.

Results: In the present study the mental index (MDI) scores were higher in intervention group than control group (106.63 Vs 94.45, P=0.0001). Problem solving skills were higher in intervention group compared to control group (21.33 Vs 11.56, P=0.000). Person social skills were higher for intervention compared to control (27.66 Vs 22.34, P=0.001). Children with fewer episodes of diarrhea and acute respiratory infections showed better performance.

Conclusions: Early Intervention Program effectively increases the cognitive, person social, problem solving and socio-emotional skills at 12 months of age.

Metrics

Metrics Loading ...

References

Meisels SJ, Shonkoff JP. Hand Book of Early childhood intervention. 2nd ed. UK: Cambridge University Press;2000.

Arthur JR, Grunewald R. Quality counts. Early intervention on a large scale. Education Week. Quality counts 2007. January 4 2007. Available at http://www.minneapolisfed.org/publications_papers/studies/earlychild/early_ intervention.cfm.

Infant-Toddlers standards. Available at http:www.pafamilyliteracy.org/earlychildhood/lib/early_childhood/Infant_Toddler_Standards_4_07.pdf

World Health Organization. Global strategy for infant and young child feeding, The Optimal Duration of Exclusive Breastfeeding 2001. Geneva. Available at http://www.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/WHA54/ea54id4.pdf

Rice AL, Sacco L, Hyder A, Black RE. Malnutrition as an underlying cause of childhood deaths associated with infectious diseases in developing countries. Bull World Health Organization. 2000;78(10):1207-18.

De onis M, Blossner M. The World Health Organi1zation global database on child growth and malnutrition: methodology and applications. Int J Epidemiol. 2003;32:518-26.

Grantham-McGregor SM, Fernald LC, Sethuraman K. Effects of health and nutrition on cognitive and behavioural development in children in the first three years of life. Food Nutr Bull. 1999;20(1):53-75.

United States. Administration for Children, Youth, and Families. Making a difference in the lives of infants and toddlers and their families: The impacts of Early Head Start. Technical Report, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, USA;2002. Available at https://www.researchconnections.org/childcare/resources/119

Arriaga, RI, Fenson L, Cronan T, Pethick SJ. Scores on the MacArthur Communicative Development Inventory of children from low- and middle income families. Applied Sycholinguistics. 1998;19(2):209-23.

Jain A, Concato J, Leventhal JM. How good is the evidence linking breastfeeding and intelligence? Pediatrics. 2002;109(6):1044-53.

Downloads

Published

2018-04-20

How to Cite

K., B., S., S., & J., S. (2018). Effect of a parent-provided early intervention program on infant health and development: a randomized controlled trial. International Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics, 5(3), 695–700. https://doi.org/10.18203/2349-3291.ijcp20180965

Issue

Section

Original Research Articles