Early interactive behaviours in preterm infants and their mothers: Influences of maternal depressive symptomatology and neonatal birth weight

• We evaluated the influence of preterm's birth weight and maternal depression on dyadic interactions.
• VLBW and ELBW preterm infants’ mothers were more actively engaged with their infant compared to control.
• In both preterm groups, depressive symptoms did not influence the degree of maternal involvement with the infant.
• ELBW mothers showed a higher frequency of depressive symptomatology.
• Intrusive behaviours were more frequent only in ELBW preterm infants’ mothers.

The study evaluated the quality of preterm infant–mother interactions, considering severity of birth weight (ELBW and VLBW) and maternal depression, compared to full term babies. 69 preterm infants (29 ELBW and 40 VLBW) and 80 full-term (FT) infants and their mothers were recruited. At 3 months of corrected age, the quality of mother–infant interaction was evaluated through Global Rating Scales; moreover, infant level of development and maternal depression were assessed through Griffith Development Mental Scales and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. Results showed adequate sensitivity in preterm infants’ mothers and higher involvement with their infants, compared to full term mothers, but ELBW ones exhibited an intrusive interactive pattern and a higher prevalence of depressive symptoms. The study underlined the relevance of paying special attention to both ELBW infants and their mothers, in order to support the parenting role and the co-construction of early interactions.