Factors Related to the Development of Premature Infants at 12 and 24 Months Age: A Prospective Study

Purpose: This prospective study aimed to examine the development of premature infants at 12 and 24 months and to explore the factors related to their development. Methods: Of the 80 premature infants who were recruited, 52 participants at 12 months and 31 participants at 24months were included in this study. The development of the infants was examined using the Korean Bayley scale of infant development-II. Postnatal depression, husband’s support, social support, mother-infant attachment, and the home environment were assessed using self-report questionnaires completed by the mothers and through the researcher’s observations. Results: There was significant difference between normal and delay group at psychomotor development at 12 months depending on social support at 6 months (t=2.03, p=.049). Mother-infant attachment at 6months (r=.71, p<.001), 12 months (r=.37, p=.043), and 24months (r=.40, p=.026), as well as social support (r=.38, p=.034) and the home environment (r=.41, p=.022) at 24 months, were correlated to mental development at 24 months. There was a significant positive correlation between mother-infant attachment at 6 months and psychomotor development at 24months (r=.40, p=.046). Conclusion: To reduce the risk of developmental delay and to promote healthy development in premature infants, early nursing interventions targeting mother-infant attachment, the home environment, and the mother’s social support structure are needed.