Welch MG, et al. – The effectiveness of Family Nurture Intervention (FNI) was examined for the early development of cortical activity in preterm infants. Findings approved that FNI promotes cerebral cortical development of preterm infants. Moreover, developmental changes in electroencephalographic (EEG) probably provide biomarkers for risk in preterm infants as well as proximal markers of effects of FNI.

Methods

• In this study, EEG (128 electrodes) was obtained at 34–44 weeks postmenstrual age from preterm infants born 26–34 weeks.
• 44 infants were treated with Standard Care.
• Fifty–three infants were treated with FNI.
• EEG power was computed in 10 frequency bands (1 to 48 Hz) in 10 brain regions and in active and quiet sleep.

Results

• Percent change/week in EEG power was increased in FNI in 132/200 tests (p<0.05), 117 tests passed a 5% False Discovery Rate threshold.
• Moreover, FNI showed greater regional independence in those developmental rates of change.