Effect of a Developmental Program Using the Developmental Assessment for Intervention Manual (DAIM) with Parental Engagement in Newborns with Birth Asphyxia: Effect of DAIM Program & Parental Engagement in Neonatal Asphyxia

This Case-Control Study utilized a two-group controlled design to evaluate the effects of a developmental promotion program using the Developmental Assessment for Intervention Manual (DAIM) combined with Parental engagement for newborns with birth asphyxia. Assessments were conducted at pre- (birth) and post-study (6 months of age). The sample consisted of two groups (n = 26) per group: 1) a case group where families received monthly DAIM-based developmental training, and 2) a control group receiving standard care. Research instruments included a parental training skills assessment, a parental developmental knowledge questionnaire, and the DAIM development assessment. Data were analyzed using t-tests, chi-square tests, odds ratios, and Fisher’s exact tests to compare parental skills, knowledge, and child development. The findings revealed that parents in the case group demonstrated significantly better motor and language training skills than the control group, whereas parental knowledge did not differ significantly. Regarding child development, no significant differences were observed between the two groups across all five domains, although the majority of infants in both groups met the passing developmental criteria. The program effectively enhanced parents' developmental intervention skills, showing prominent positive trends in both the motor (OR = 6.42, 95% CI: 1.72–23.90, p < 0.01) and language domains. [receptive language (p = 0.04) and expressive language (p < 0.01]