Guidelines for the implementation of developmental care for preterm and sick neonates

Abstract

Developmental care is a relatively new concept in neonatal intensive care within the South African context. The term ‘developmental care’ describes a group of interventions focused at reducing stress levels of the preterm and sick neonate in order to reduce negative short and long term outcomes. These negative outcomes directly affect infant morbidity and neurodevelopment. Although it has been widely implemented internationally, implementation in South Africa seemed problematic. A formal research study using an intervention research design was conducted to determine how developmental care could be implemented in the South African context and this article discusses the guidelines for implementation drawn from the conclusion of the study.