Early psychomotor intervention in preterm infants 

Khanh Hoa Provincial General Hospital in cooperation of L'APPEL- LORIENT and Southern BRETAGNE Hospital (France) started the monitoring and intervention of infants at high risk of psychomotor disorders in July 2014 under the research "Evaluating early intervention of children at high risk of psychomotor disorders in Khanh Hoa Province in the first 2 years of life".

The research conducted by Second-Degree Specialist Doctor Phan Huu Chinh, Director of Khanh Hoa Provincial Hospital has been examined, contributing the child care and development.

According to Dr. Phan Huu Chinh, with the advance in medical science, the care for newborns at medical facilities has improved, saving the lives of many premature and critically ill children. For children at high risk of psychomotor disorders, studies show that the effectiveness of early diagnosis and intervention of psychomotor disorders in the first 2 years of life helps reduce sequelae and facilitate integration into the community.

Working with L'APPEL- LORIENT expert.

For the research on infants at high risk of psychomotor disorders at the Department of Pediatrics, Provincial General Hospital, the group selected 120 newborns based on such criteria as preterm birth of less than 33 weeks of pregnancy, less than 1,500g, bacterial meningitis, birth asphyxia, convulsions, severe jaundice, multiple malformations, etc. The researchers collected data for medical records; gave examination, and made clinical and subclinical assessment for identification, diagnosis and early intervention of infants with psychomotor disorders.

After 3 years of implementation (from November 2019 to April 2023), the researchers detected and diagnosed psychomotor disorders in children. The project also includued training for medical staff at 7 district hospitals; developing procedures and networks for screening, monitoring and intervening in psychomotor disorders.

The researchers have suggested improving antenatal care, birth infection control, and monitoring premature babies with severe diseases to minimize complications, thus reducing risks of psychomotor disorders; deploying screening, diagnosis, monitoring and evaluation of interventions for children with psychomotor disorders for early detection and intervention at hospitals and health centers in the province; improving infrastructures and human resources at facilities for physical therapy and rehabilitation intervention for those with psychomotor disorders; developing intervention networks, including building a center for early intervention in the province.

According to Professor, Ph.D., Dr. Ngo Minh Xuan, Pham Ngoc Thach Medical University, Chairman of the Acceptance Council, the research is of deeply humane significance. The difficult procedure which can be deployed in Khanh Hoa is highly appreciated. The research is logical and practical with a scientific basis so it needs further development for expansion in Khanh Hoa Province, the research team suggested.

V.L

Translated by N.T