E-health-supported Diagnostic and Intervention in Preterm Born Children and Their Families

E-health-supported Recording of Psychological and Somatic Problems, Risk and Resilience Factors of Premature Born Infants and Their Families and Individualized, Interdisciplinary Stepped-care Approach

The app-based diagnostic and support approach with a focus on mental and somatic symptoms is intended to strengthen the resilience of premature born children and families and to identify risk and resilience factors.The overall objective of the study is to improve the post-inpatient care of families with premature born children. The procedure is evaluated by a two-arm design with an experimental group and a TAU group.

The project aims to conduct a longitudinal study of premature babies and their parents from the time of hospital discharge in order to identify predictive factors for their psychological and physical outcomes and to provide individualized interdisciplinary diagnostic and treatment. The project helps to identify risk and protective factors and also takes a closer look at the interplay between the mind and body. This care approach is supported by an app that records symptoms and needs and also allows contact with the study team. The app also provides psychoeducational materials. The study was developed in collaboration with affected families and experts from the aftercare team. The concept will be evaluated by comparing the treatment group with a TAU group and by conducting measurements after hospital discharge, after 4 months after estimated date of birth, and again after 2 months, as well as through focus groups with study participants.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Premature babies born at the UKT,
• Gestational age 28-34 weeks,
• Mother: age ≥ 18 years,
• agreement to participate in this study and signing of a consent form,
• sufficient knowledge of German,
• internet access

Exclusion Criteria:

• Premature babies < 28th or >34th week of pregnancy,
• at least one of the children has serious diseases of the nervous system or obvious symptoms of a nervous disease,
• at least one of the children has serious congenital diseases or suffers from malformations,
• Mother: Lack of access to a smartphone/tablet,
• no internet access,
• insufficient knowledge of German