Regular and prolonged skin-to-skin contact improves short-term outcomes for very preterm infants: A dose-dependent intervention

Introduction: Skin-to-skin contact (SSC) is a cornerstone of neurodevelopment and family-oriented care for preterm infants. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effectiveness of skin-to-skin contact in preterm babies depending on regularity, duration, and the period of the first contact. Materials and methods: This retrospective study involved 26 premature infants with gestational age 24/ 0-28/6 weeks who were treated in the neonatal intensive care unit and neonatal department. All infants had SSC with their parents. Results: According to the first SSC, newborns were divided into two groups: group 1 (SSC began in the 1st week of life) and group 2 (SSC began after the 1st week of life). Group A (SSC was performed regularly, i.e., everyday) and group B (SSC was irregular, i.r., once every 2 or 3 days) were based on the regularity of SSC. Depending on the duration of SSC, group I (SSC was more than 3 h per day) and group II (SSC was less than 3 h per day) were formed. Early SSC correlated with lower incidence of secondary infections (OR = 6.75; 95% CI 1.06-42.84; P = 0.051), bronchopulmonary dysplasia (OR = 10.67; 95% CI 1.70-66.72; P < 0.015), and cholestasis (P = 0.022). Regular SSC correlated with lower incidence of secondary infections (OR = 15.0; 95% CI 1.50-149.70; P = 0.014). Duration of SSC was correlated with lower rates of secondary infections (OR = 7.00; 95% CI 1.20-40.83; P = 0.043) and better rates of breastfeeding (OR = 7.00; 95% CI 1.20-40.83; P = 0.043). Conclusion: Early, regular, and prolonged SSC has a positive impact on premature infants' health. In particular, early SSC is associated with a reduced risk of BPD development, cholestasis, and nosocomial infection. Prolonged daily skin-to-skin contact is associated with a lower incidence of nosocomial infection and promotes breastfeeding. (C) 2018 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.