A preterm infant is compelled to leave the optimal uterine environment before his complete neurological maturation, to be subsequently assisted in an artificial environment: the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
This thesis aims to describe the prematurely born child’s growth, defining the preterm birth, the neurological development of the brain, the plasticity of the nervous system and the immature infant’s behavioral language.
Moreover, the current situation in majors European countries has been illustrated, starting from an analysis of the preterm infant’s health policies and ending with the definitions of Individualized Developmental Care, Family Centered Care and NIDCAP (Newborn Individualized Developmental Care and Assessment Program), considered as health care interventions. In particular, the NIDCAP program has been a matter of investigation, from HeideliseAls’ Synactive Theory up to the description of the ideal setting wherein actualize the project.
The final chapter is a review of literature, both Italian and international, focusing on individualized programs based on the preterm infant growth and development. In the research 20 articles have been included, reporting positive and negative results taken from the observed programs.
Conclusions: 18 of the 20 articles argue that NIDCAP program does not lead to negative results, in fact, the majority supports its effectiveness in the short and long term effects on neuropsychological development of the preterm infant.
