Abstract

Despite the technological and medical advancements of the last decades, premature birth continues to represent an important factor of neurodevelopmental vulnerability. Recent studies have shown the importance of early sensory stimulation as a protective factor for neuropsychological development. However, at present there are no shared intervention protocols at national level. This contribution intends to offer an overview of the Italian context through an explorative survey that involved 39 neonatal intensive care units. The results outline a very fragmented picture with respect to 1) types of proposed interventions; 2) interaction time allowed to caregivers; 3) role of the psychologist/s and 4) type of follow-up.