Family attachment and psychosomatic development in preterm-born children.

Aim: Preterm birth is a dangerous and stressful event for the family, attachment behaviours will be activated and can influence the emotional and somatic development of the preterm child. The purpose of this study is to assess family attachment and child development in an experimental group of families with preterm-born children (< 1500gr) compared with a control group of families with term-born children (> 2500gr). Methods: For this report, 10 preterm and 10 term couples were studied at 3 months corrected age. Mother-Child and Father-Child couples were subjected to Child-Adult Relationship Experimental Index (CARE-Index) (Crittenden, 1979-2004) and both parents to Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS) (Spanier, 1976). The psycho-motor development of the child was assessed by administering the Bayley Scales of Infant Development (BSID II). Statistical elaboration was carried out using parametric and non-parametric tests (U Mann-Whitney). Results: Preterm mothers and fathers presented high risk interactive behaviours at CARE-index (low scores at Dyadic Sensibility Scale, p<0.04). In interaction, attachment forerunners suggest the development of an unsure attachment in preterm mothers (p