This program is for infants who are preterm, of low birth weight, and are birth to 3 years old and their parents.

The Infant Health and Development Program (IHDP), an early intervention program, is designed to improve cognitive, behavioral, and physical health outcomes among low birth weight (LBW) children by encouraging parents and children to engage in activities that are intended to prevent developmental problems common among LBW infants.

Evaluations of IHDP provide consistent evidence that participants at the heavier end of the LBW spectrum (i.e., between 2,000 and 2,500 grams) experience better cognitive outcomes, such as higher IQ and stronger language development, than similar infants in a control group.  While these differences persist throughout childhood, they become smaller over time.   Effects on cognitive outcomes for infants weighing less than 2,000 grams were much less consistent, and the program seems to have few effects on behavioral and health outcomes and parenting behaviors among LBW babies of any weight.

The IHDP presents a variety of opportunities and activities for parents and children.  This program includes the following four core components:

• Pediatric follow-up - Pediatric nurses or social workers conduct regular medical, developmental, and social assessments and make referrals for services as needed;
• Home visits - Trained home visitors meet with families weekly during the first year of the program and biweekly thereafter.  Families receive information and support related to the health and development of their child, including material on how to strengthen development and recognize problems;
• Parent support groups - Bimonthly meetings are held for parents when their child turns one and include topics, such as child rearing and promoting health and safety; and
• Child development centers - Children begin to attend preschool centers when they are between 12 and 36 months old. Teachers, who are specifically trained to work with program participants, run the centers and reinforce the lessons taught during home visits and parent groups.

The IHDP has been implemented in sites across the United States since 1985.

Training is mandatory for the professionals (i.e., pediatric nurses, social workers, home visitors, and early childhood teachers) who implement the program. IHDP-specific training materials are included in the program package described in the Cost section.

Considerations for implementing this program include hiring and securing buy-in from professionals to administer the program; ensuring staff receive training; obtaining commitment from parents to participate in the program for an extended duration; finding space for meetings; developing a plan to follow participants through the entire program; and understanding some expenses could be incurred, such as staff salaries.

The Clearinghouse can help address these considerations. Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu

If you are interested in implementing IHDP, the Clearinghouse is interested in helping you!
Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu

IHDP is initiated with parents shortly before or after their child's birth, and the program continues until the child is 3 years old.  Specific time commitments will vary depending on participants' needs.

Please use details in the Contact section for information on implementation costs.

To move IHDP to the Promising category on the Clearinghouse Continuum of Evidence, at least one evaluation should be performed demonstrating consistent, positive effects for both heavier and lighter LBW babies, lasting at least one year from the beginning of the program or at least six months from program completion.

The Clearinghouse can help you develop an evaluation plan to ensure the program components are meeting your goals. Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu

Contact the Clearinghouse with any questions regarding this program.
Phone: 1-877-382-9185 Email: Clearinghouse@psu.edu

You may also contact Sociometrics Corporation by mail 13023 La Cresta Drive, Los Altos Hills, CA 94022, phone 1-650-949-3282, fax 1-650-949-3299, email socio@socio.com, or visit https://www.socio.com/pages/contact_us

https://www.socio.com/products/infant-health-and-development-program-ihdp-an-early-intervention-program-for-low-birth-weight-premature-infants and Gross et al (1990).