Infant stimulation reassessed. A new approach to providing care for the preterm infant.

Developmental intervention is a new method of improving the care of preterm infants. Use of the Assessment of Preterm Infant Behavior (APIB) to determine the current behavioral functioning of an infant and how that information can be used to develop and implement an individualized program of nursing care are described. Three examples of individualized programs developed as a result of assessment are presented. General environmental guidelines for special care nursery procedures, parent involvement, and nurse training are given.