Randomised controlled trial of maternal infant-directed reading among hospitalised preterm infants

Aim A randomised trial to study the impact of a maternal-driven, infant-directed reading intervention on preterm infant language compared with matched controls. Methods Infants born at 22-32 weeks in Women & Infants Neonatal Intensive Care were gestationally stratified to a reading intervention (n = 33) or standard care (n = 34). At 32-, 34- and 36-weeks postmenstrual age, 16-h language recordings were obtained in the hospital. Bivariate group comparisons and regressions adjusting for gestational age and multiples were run to predict word counts and conversational turns. Longitudinal analyses were conducted by negative binomial models containing intervention, randomised gestation group, recording number (1-3), an intervention x recording number interaction term and multiple birth adjustment by generalised estimating equations. Results In adjusted analyses, by 36-weeks postmenstrual age, infants in the reading group had twice the number of conversational turns as infants receiving standard care (Rate ratio 1.98, 95% CI 1.33-2.93, p < 0.05). In longitudinal analyses, only infants in the reading group had a significant increase in the conversational turns between 32- and 36-weeks postmenstrual age (Rate ratio 2.45, 95% CI 1.45-4.14, p < 0.05). Conclusions A maternal infant-directed reading curriculum in the hospital demonstrated a positive impact on interactive conversations by 36-weeks postmenstrual age.

Automated summary

This study examined the impact of a maternal-driven, infant-directed reading intervention on preterm infant language. The results showed that infants in the reading group had significantly more conversational turns compared to those in the standard care group at 36-weeks postmenstrual age.