The Effect of Family-Integrated Care Model on Infant and Toddler Health Promotion

The Effect of Family-Integrated Care Model on Infant and Toddler Health Promotion

The FIC model effectively promotes infant growth, improves nutrition, reduces disease risk, and supports early cognitive and psychological development while enhancing parental caregiving skills, demonstrating strong clinical value.

This study explored the effects of the family-integrated care (FIC) model on growth, nutrition, disease incidence, and early cognitive and psychological development in infants aged 6-18 months. A total of 158 full-term infants were randomly assigned to an intervention group (n=79) or a control group (n=79). The control group received routine health guidance, while the intervention group received additional FIC-based care, including individualized health plans, education, daily care guidance, dietary recommendations, micronutrient supplementation, early intervention, growth monitoring, and vaccination support. Outcomes assessed at baseline and six months post-intervention included growth indices (weight, height, head circumference), nutritional markers (hemoglobin, vitamin D), disease incidence (respiratory infections, gastrointestinal dysfunction, eczema), and Bayley Scales of Infant Development scores. Parental adherence, satisfaction, and caregiving competency were also evaluated.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Infants born in our hospital who undergo regular check-ups in the pediatric healthcare department.
2. Age between 6 and 18 months.
3. Complete and comprehensive clinical data.
4. Full-term birth.
5. Families voluntarily participate and sign informed consent.
6. Parents are in good health and have time to accompany their children daily.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Congenital diseases.
2. Infectious diseases.
3. Familial hereditary diseases.
4. Abnormal conditions during pregnancy or perinatal period.
5. Missing clinical data.
6. No willingness to participate in this study.
7. Abnormal physical or intellectual development of the infant.
8. Intellectual disabilities of the guardians. -