Skin-to-skin contact after birth improves mother-infant interaction in very preterm babies

A new study has found that immediate skin-to-skin contact (SSC) between parents and their very preterm infants after birth can significantly enhance the quality of mother-infant interactions at 4 months of age. This groundbreaking research, conducted across neonatal units in Sweden and Norway, offers compelling evidence for the long-term benefits of early physical bonding in premature babies.

Incubator care vs. early skin-to-skin contact in preterm infants

The study analysed data from 71 very preterm infants born between 28 and 33 weeks of gestation. Researchers randomly assigned the infants to either standard incubator care or immediate skin-to-skin contact (SSC) with a parent for the first six hours after birth.

At 4 months of corrected age, the mother-infant pairs were videotaped during a free-play session. These interactions were then assessed using the Parent-Child Early Relational Assessment (PCERA), a tool designed to measure the quality of parent-infant relationships.

Significant benefits of early skin-to-skin contact on infant development

The results were striking. Infants who received immediate SSC after birth showed significantly higher scores in positive affect, communicative skills, and social skills compared to those who received standard care. This improvement was observed even though fathers provided more SSC than mothers in the initial hours after birth.

However, the study’s key findings indicate that immediate skin-to-skin contact (SSC) should be encouraged alongside necessary medical care to strengthen the mother-infant relationship after birth. This practice is crucial for enhancing interactions between mothers and their very preterm infants, leading to improved developmental outcomes.

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Implications for neonatal care

These results have significant implications for neonatal care practices. They provide strong support for the World Health Organization’s recent guidelines recommending immediate SSC for preterm infants. As survival rates for very preterm infants continue to improve, focusing on developmental outcomes becomes increasingly important. By implement policies that facilitate immediate SSC they may be able to improve long-term developmental outcomes and strengthen the crucial bond between parents and their premature babies.

Paper available at: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2812391

Full list of authors: Siri Lilliesköld, RN, MSc; Karoline Lode-Kolz, MD; Siren Rettedal, MD, PhD; Johanna Lindstedt, MSc; Agnes Linnér, MD, PhD; Hanne Markhus Pike, MD; Sari Ahlqvist-Björkroth, PhD; Ulrika Ådén, MD, PhD; Wibke Jonas, RM, PhD

DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.44469