Introduction:

Preterm infants are at high risk of neurodevelopmental impairments due to their immature brain and exposure to various stressors in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Developmental Supportive Care (DSC) focuses on minimizing these stressors and promoting optimal neurodevelopment through integrative strategies. Neuroprotection in the NICU involves interventions such as minimizing pain and stress, optimizing nutrition, promoting skin-to-skin contact (kangaroo care), and ensuring an enriched sensory environment. This approach aims to enhance long-term outcomes by supporting brain development and functional adaptation in preterm neonates.

Objective of the webinar/Event:

The objective of this event is to enhance awareness and implementation of Developmental Supportive Care (DSC) and Neuroprotection strategies in the NICU for preterm infants.

It aims to:

• Educate healthcare professionals on evidence-based practices for neonatal integrative developmental care.
• Emphasize the importance of minimizing stressors, optimizing neurodevelopment, and improving long-term outcomes in preterm infants.
• Promote multidisciplinary collaboration in providing family-centered and neuroprotective care in the NICU.
• Highlight the role of kangaroo care, pain management, optimized nutrition, and sensory regulation in preterm brain development.

Brief content of lecture-

The Department of Pediatrics, FMHS, SGT University, is organizing the North India Workshop on "Developmental Supportive Care (DSC) in Preemies and Neuroprotection in NICU: Strategies for Neonatal Integrative Developmental Care." This workshop aims to enhance the knowledge and skills of healthcare professionals in providing neuroprotective and developmentally supportive care to preterm infants in the NICU.

With 34 participants, including doctors and nurses from SGT University, the workshop was led by renowned experts, including Dr Amitava Sengupta (Director: Mother & Child Unit, Neonatology & Pediatrics, Paras Hospitals, Gurgaon (NCR), India Chairperson & Executive Director, DSC Foundation for Newborn & Children (India)), Dr Rakesh Tiwari (Sr Consultant Neonatology & Pediatrics, Clinical Lead: DSC Team Paras Hospitals, Gurugram (NCR), Faculty DSC Foundation (India)), and Dr. Pradeep Kumar Debata (Professor, VMMC & Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, Faculty DSC Foundation (India)). Under the guidance of Chief Adviser Dr. Shashi Sharma, Professor & Head, Pediatrics, leadership of Organizing Chairperson Dr. Dheeraj Bahl, Professor, Pediatrics and Organizing Secretaries Dr. Payal and Dr. Parveen, the event will focus on evidence-based practices to improve neonatal outcomes through multidisciplinary and family-centered care.