AbstractIntroduction: Ninety-nine percent of newborn deaths are in low- and middle-income countries and prematurity, intrapartum-related neonatal deaths (‘birth asphyxia’), sepsis and meningitis account for 75% of these.1 Developmental disabilities cause individuals living with them many difficulties in certain areas of life, especially in "language, mobility, learning, self-help, and independent living".2 Aim of Study: 1.To explore the relationship, when early stimulation is provided to infants at high-risk and the stress experienced by parents. 2. To study the changes in quality of life of families when required stimulation is provided for high-risk infants. Method: 81 families recruited for this study recruitment Criteria: families of Infants who were at high-risk at birth. A low-cost, family of high-risk infants intervention programme to promote child and family wellbeing is provided at an Early Intervention Centre in Latika Roy Foundation, Dehradun, India. It follows a family-cantered approach of empowering families through respect, collaboration, information, training and support. Discussion: This study evaluates the effectiveness of family high-risk infants, required stimulation early intervention for leads to reduction of stress and improved quality of life. This study explores, for the first time in a resource limited country, the relationship between the reduction of stress and improved quality of life. Families of High-risk infants enrolled at the Centre during January 2015 through July 2017, who were in NICU for 5 or >5 days are partners in the study. Conclusion: Early intervention services and support to families can significantly improve quality of life of highrisk children. Intervention studies for children with disability state that the best way of improving children’s outcomes is by empowering parents through a structured learning programme.
Keywords: Enabling families of High-risk infants; Development outcomes; Early intervention and stimulation.