Abstract: Objective To explore the effects of early intervention on brain injury in premature infants with neonate respiratory failure (NRF). Methods 151 premature infants in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) who were diagnosed as NRF within 24 hours after birth in our hospital were studied. All of them accepted endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation, and were complicated with brain injury. According to their admission date and their parents' desire, these premature infants were divided into routine group (n=71) and intervention group (n=80). Both 2 groups received similar routine care, and the intervention group accepted touching, passive exercise and stimulation of hearing, vision and touch in addition. Active motor training and family intervention were also given to the intervention group after discharge. They were assessed with Neonatal Behavioral Neurological Assessment (NBNA) at the corrected age of 40 weeks, Infant Neurological International Battery (Infanib) at the corrected age of 3 and 6 months, mental development index (MDI) and psychomotor development index (PDI) at the corrected age of 6, 12 and 18 months, Gesell Development Schedules at the corrected age of 18 months. Results There was no significant difference in NBNA score between 2 groups at 40 weeks of gestational age (P>0.05). The percentage of normal ones with Infanib was higher in the intervention group than in the routine group at the age of 3 and 6 months (P<0.05). The MDI and PDI were significantly higher in the intervention group than in the routine group at the age of 6, 12 and 18 months (P<0.001). The scores of gross motor, fine motor, adaptation, language and social skills were significantly higher in the intervention group than in the routine group at the age of 18 months (P<0.001). The incidence of sequelae was lower in the intervention group (12.5%) than in the routine group (25.4%) (P<0.05). Conclusion Early intervention can promote the intelligence and motor development, and improve the outcome of brain injury in the premature infants with NRF.

Key words: premature infant, neonate respiratory failure, brain injury, rehabilitation, early intervention