HMC hosts first Neonatal Developmental Care Symposium

The importance of individualized and family-centered care in promoting the growth and well being of critically ill newborns and infants was the focus of the first-of-its-kind ‘Neonatal Developmental Care Symposium’ held recently at Hamad Medical Corporation’s (HMC) Women’s Hospital.

Some babies are born with a high risk of medical complications and illnesses that require highly specialized care in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) and special care nurseries. The developmental care approach originates from the idea that environmental factors play a key role in affecting health outcomes of high-risk infants in NICUs. Modifications to the nursing environment and care practices by healthcare professionals, parents and caregivers can result in improved quality of life for these infants.

Dr. Hilal Al Rifai, Medical Director and Director of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Women’s Hospital stated: “The symposium reflects our commitment in ensuring that the safest, most effective and compassionate care is available to each and every one of our patients. We recognize that the essence of our work lies in the compassion that we extend to not only the infants requiring critical care, but also to their families. Using developmental care strategies, we can provide individualized care to preterm and high risk babies in order to support their optimal growth.”

The day-long symposium was attended by over 150 healthcare professionals, comprised of developmental care teams, neonatologists, nurses and other allied health professionals working in the area of infant care. The main aims of the symposium were to encourage healthcare professionals to assess current neonatal care practices; learn about developmental needs of infants; and work together with families to ensure they are addressed early and more efficiently. 

Participants had the opportunity to learn from international expert, Prof. Nikk Conneman, Consultant Neonatologist and Director of the Sophia Neonatal Individual Developmental Care and Assessment Program Training Center in the Netherlands.

Prof. Conneman said: “The concept of developmental care is a necessity now. We have learned through images gathered from a number of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) tests that the brain of high risk or preterm babies develops better with individualized care. This kind of care understands that each individual is unique and has unique strengths, and when provided with the right kind of care, has the ability to live and function normally.”

The symposium also highlighted the latest developments and advances in the care of high risk and critically ill infants and featured state-of-the art lectures on topics such as: technical revolution in NICU; ways to enhance sensory and brain development; and the import