ABSTRACT
Objective:To study the effects of enhanced breastfeeding management on the neurodevelopmental outcomes of preterm infants in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).Methods:From January to December 2020, preterm infants with gestational age (GA) ≥32 weeks admitted to NICU of our hospital were randomly assigned into the enhance group and the control group. Breast-feeding education using WeChat and routinely playing recorded mother's sound to the infants were carried out in the enhance group, while conventional management was carried out in the control group. Breastfeeding status was followed up regularly in both groups. Mental development index (MDI) and psychomotor development index (PDI) at 6-month of corrected GA were measured using Infant Intelligence Development Scale.Results:A total of 109 cases were included in the enhance group and 118 cases in the control group. The breast-feeding rates in the enhance group were significantly higher than the control group at discharge, 3-month and 6-month of corrected GA [88.1% (96/109) vs. 61.0% (72/118), 90.8% (99/109) vs. 67.8% (80/118), 88.1% (96/109) vs. 61.9% (73/118)] ( P<0.05). MDI and PDI at 6-month of corrected GA in the enhance group were significantly higher than the control group [(106.2±10.7) vs. (101.9±11.4), (103.4±13.7) vs. (99.5±11.6)] ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Enhanced breast-feeding management is helpful improving the breast-feeding rate of preterm infants in NICU and beneficial to the neurodevelopment of preterm infants.