The effect of the Infant Behavioral Assessment and Intervention Program on mother-infant interaction after very preterm birth

Background: Prematurity and perinatal insults lead to increased developmental vulnerability. The home-based Infant Behavioral Assessment and Intervention Program (IBAIP) was designed to improve development of preterm infants. In a multicenter randomized controlled trial the effect of IBAIP on mother-infant interaction was studied as a secondary outcome. Method: Mother-infant interaction was assessed during the Still-face procedure at 6 months corrected age. One hundred and twelve mother-infant dyads (57 intervention, 55 control) were studied. Results: Findings partially supported our hypothesis that the intervention would increase maternal sensitivity in interaction with their preterm infants. No effects were found on infant self-regulatory behavior or positive interaction behavior. Conclusion: The family-centered and strength-based approach of IBAIP appears to be a promising intervention method to promote sensitive mother-infant interaction at home after discharge from hospital. However, no positive effects were found on infant interaction behavior.