Towards a Social Model of Prematurity: Understanding the Social Impact of Prematurity and the Role of Inclusive Parenting Practices in Neonatal Intensive Care Units

Prematurity, defined as a birth before 37 weeks of gestation, affects approximately 15 million infants worldwide yearly. Beyond the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and the possibility of long-term developmental challenges affecting children’s quality of life, prematurity influences family dynamics, including parental mental health, financial stability, employment, and daily life. On a broader scale, research highlights the significant socioeconomic consequences of preterm birth that influence public healthcare policies, healthcare systems, and long-term costs. Addressing these challenges requires a multidisciplinary approach, beginning in the NICUs, with parental inclusion as a key component. The shift toward parental inclusion in the NICU may represent a fundamental transition from a medical to a social model of prematurity. The concept of a social model of prematurity parallels the social model of disability, from disability studies, focusing on premature babies, strengthening their abilities and nurturing early caregiver—infant relationships. It highlights how societal structures, such as accessibility and support systems, shape developmental outcomes and inclusion of premature infants, rather than framing prematurity solely in terms of survival and treatment.