Over the past two decades Britain, like many other countries, has developed a system of special care units for sick and preterm babies. These, together with the intensive care units which some of them incorporate, now admit between 15 and 20% of all newborn babies.
Admission to these units and the employment there of a growing range of invasive treatments has led to a profound change in the neonatal environment for these babies and their parents. Some of these changes have provoked anxiety about their possible consequences for the development of these children. This, article describes some of the aspects of the environment of the preterm baby that have given rise to concern and some of the ways in which we may reduce the potential risks.
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