Information support as an element for advising parents of preterm infants: a guide for development follow-up services during the first year of life

Introduction: The literature shows that preterm infants are at high risk of biological and psychological disorders and consequently require a higher level of care than is provided for full-term infants. Objective: To draw up a guide advising oil development follow-up during the first year of life, for parents who attend a child development follow-up service. Method: The inclusion criteria were that participants should be parents of preterm infants with a corrected age between zero and six months that did not present neurological diseases and did not require physiotherapeutic intervention. This study was of qualitative nature. Data collection was by means of direct observation and interviews with mothers and with the professionals at this infant development follow-up service. The guide was produced based on analysis of the observations on attendance at the service, frequency of responses in the interviews with professionals and mothers regarding needs and doubts about handling and caring for infants, and associations with the literature. Results: A guide was produced containing information on infant development, divided into the first four trimesters of life. It draws attention to the importance of calculating corrected ages in order to adequately follow up development markers. Conclusions: This guide may be used by a variety of health professionals and by professionals who develop educational activities for parents.