Developmental care of premature newborns: fundamentals and main characteristics

Premature newborns, especially the extreme ones, need to be cared for in the different units in the neonatal services. In addition to ensuring the survival of these newborns, these services have gradually incorporated interventions to promote their development. This review provides an updated synthesis of developmental-focused neonatal care. First, it describes the neurobiological theoretical foundations that explain how the so-called "neonatal stress" can affect the development of a premature child. Later, it reviews the Synactive Theory, which is one of the theoretical models that contribute to understanding the characteristics of the care focused on development. Regarding this care, the evidence and challenges for implementing are described and addressed from a critical perspective, pointing out the strengths and weaknesses. This article highlights the importance of improving the quality of care that preterm newborns received in NICUs, promoting resilience and/or the best possible developmental potential in these children, in addition to strengthening the role of parents in neonatal care.