No change in developmental outcome with incubator covers and nesting for very preterm infants in a randomised controlled trial

Objective: To investigate in a randomised controlled trial the effect of basic elements of developmental care (incubator covers and positioning aids) on growth and neurodevelopment in infants born at Method: Infants were randomised within 48 h of birth to a developmental care (DC) or standard care (C) group. Outcome measures at 1 and 2 years corrected age were growth, standardised neurological examinations, and mental (MDI) and psychomotor (PDI) development (Dutch version of the Bayley Scales of Infant Development II). Results: 192 infants were recruited (DC = 98; C = 94). Thirteen infants (DC = 7, C = 6) were excluded because they were admitted for Conclusions: Basic developmental care has no positive effect on neurological and mental development or growth at 1 and 2 years of age in infants born at Trial registration number: ISRCTN84995192.