Immediate parent-infant skin-to-skin study (IPISTOSS): study protocol of a randomised controlled trial on very preterm infants cared for in skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth and potential physiological, epigenetic, psychological and neurodevelopmental consequences.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

In Scandinavia, 6% of infants are born preterm, before 37 gestational weeks. Instead of continuing in the in-utero environment, maturation needs to occur in a neonatal unit with support of vital functions, separated from the mother's warmth, nutrition and other benefits. Preterm infants face health and neurodevelopment challenges that may also affect the family and society at large. There is evidence of benefit from immediate and continued skin-to-skin contact (SSC) for term and moderately preterm infants and their parents but there is a knowledge gap on its effect on unstable very preterm infants when initiated immediately after birth.

Methods and analysis

In this ongoing randomised controlled trial from Stavanger, Norway and Stockholm, Sweden, we are studying

SUBMITTER: Linner A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7342825 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature