Skin-to-skin holding in relation to white matter connectivity in infants born preterm.

ABSTRACT:

Background and objectives

Preterm birth is associated with altered white matter development and long-term neurodevelopmental impairments. Skin-to-skin care (kangaroo care) has well-documented benefits for physiological stability and bonding, but its association with neonatal brain structure remains unclear. This study explored the association between in-hospital skin-to-skin care and neonatal white matter microstructure in frontal and limbic pathways that are linked to stress regulation and socio-emotional development, processes potentially influenced by affective touch during skin-to-skin care.

Methods

This retrospective study analyzed electronic medical records and diffusion MRI data collected from 86 preterm infants (<32 weeks gestational age) in a single NICU. Skin-to-sk

SUBMITTER: Travis KE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11957181 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature