The premature infant. A multidisciplinary approach [Il bambino prematuro: Un approccio multidisciplinare]

Most of the studies about the outcome in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants have focused on cerebral palsy and on major or minor neurological disfunctions; only recently behavioral and emotional problems and the impact of Pre-discharge environment in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) have been considered. Environmental factors and practices in the NICU are associated with stress in premature infants; moreover, many factors may adversely affect parent-infant attachment and the parent involvment essential to long-term development. These facts have stimulated generalised changes and individualised programming regarding the nursery culture. There is a need of evidence-based evaluation of component of neonatal developmental care utilising the expertise of different professions. In this way, children neuro-psychiatrist together with physiotherapist may have an important role in linking physical and emotional development of the baby. This role is within a multidisciplinary approach with the goal of an integration of the psycho-soma unit of the baby and his mother through the creation of a facilitating environment as much as possible in a NICU.