Evaluation of a Sensory-tonic Stimulation on Development of Parent-infant Interactions and Social Cognition in Very Premature Children

Evaluation of a Sensory-tonic Stimulation on Development of Parent-infant Interaction and Social Cognition in Very Premature Children

Attachment is built primarily on the first interactions of the first 9 months of a baby's life. These first interactions and their effects of stress, pleasure and displeasure are retained to establish some of the baby's attachment behaviours and future relationships with others.

Extreme prematurity strongly modify these first interactions between parents and child. Very preterm child is separated from his parents and is placed in a stressful, technical and potentially painful environment.

Early interventions stimulate neuroplasticity and can positively affect the neurological development of very preterm infant. Tactile stimuli such as skin-to-skin contact and massages carried out by parents can be pleasant experiences that can support early interactions between parents and child.

The aim of the study is to evaluate impact of a sensory-tonic stimulation on development of parent-infant interaction and on social cognition in very premature children.

inclusion criteria :

• very preterm child (born before 32 weeks of amenorrhoea)
• parents agreeing to participate to the study

exclusion criteria :

• child born before 25 weeks of amenorrhoea
• child with a birth weight less than 600 grams
• child with congenital malformation
• child with hemodynamic instability