Implementation of a Reading Program in the Intensive Care Nursery Decreases Socio-economic and Racial Disparities in Parent-infant Verbal Interactions: A Pilot Model for Early Language Intervention Among High Risk Preterm Infants

"Background": Preterm infants in the intensive care unit (ICN) are often deprived of the consistent parent-infant verbal interactions needed for normal language development. The effectiveness of an inpatient reading program in increasing these verbal interactions while bridging previously reported socio-economic and racial disparities among parents of high risk preterm infants remains unknown. "Objective": To assess the effectiveness and sustainability of an inpatient reading program aimed at increasing parent-infant verbal interactions among families of premature infants of various socio-demographic backgrounds. "Methods": A prospective, qualitative pilot study of reading practices among parents …