LAUSR

Objectives To determine 1) socio-demographic factors related to parent engagement in the NICU, and 2) determine if the Supporting and Enhancing NICU Sensory Experiences (SENSE) program increased parent engagement. Background Preterm birth results in significant health complications, necessitating infant hospitalization. This alters early sensory experiences which are further impacted by challenges parents face engaging in care1. Parent participation in appropriate sensory activities can improve infant developmental outcomes2. Methods Sixty-four infants born ≤ 32 weeks gestation were randomized to SENSE or standard of care. SENSE included parent education and specific amounts of age-appropriate sensory exposures for parents to conduct each day of hospitalization. Bedside logs were used to record parent engagement in providing sensory exposures to their infants. Results Being married (p=0.02) and having private insurance (p=0.003), a college degree (p=0.046) and fewer children (p=0.02) related to more parent engagement. The SENSE intervention was related to increased engagement for young mothers (p<0.001) and those living farther from the NICU (p<0.001) with trends toward more engagement among African-American parents (p=.07). Conclusion Those with high social risk are less likely to engage in the NICU, but the SENSE program increased engagement among some high-risk groups.