Effects of Immediate Skin-to-Skin Contact in Preterm Infants in High-Resource Settings: A Systematic Review.
Victoria Rettedal, Siren Rettedal, Maren Johanne Heilskov Rytter et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review assessed immediate or early skin-to-skin contact (initiated within 1 hour after birth) versus conventional care for inborn preterm infants in high-resource settings. It included four randomised clinical trials with 325 infants. The review found that skin-to-skin contact was feasible and safe, with outcomes for cardiorespiratory stability, thermoregulation, breastfeeding, maternal-infant interaction, infant stress regulation, and parental mental health favouring the intervention. The abstract reports no pooled effect estimate. The authors conclude that the evidence supports avoiding separation of preterm infants and parents during the first hours after birth.
Key findings
- Four randomised clinical trials involving 325 infants were included.
- Immediate skin-to-skin contact was reported as feasible and safe.
- Cardiorespiratory stability, thermoregulation, breastfeeding, interaction, stress regulation, and parental mental health outcomes favoured skin-to-skin contact.
Why it matters
The review brings together trial evidence from high-resource settings, where neonatal intensive care may involve early separation. Its findings suggest that the first hours after birth may be an important period for supporting infant stability and parent-infant outcomes, while indicating that skin-to-skin care can be delivered safely in the studied settings.
What to keep in mind
The evidence base comprised only four trials and 325 infants; the abstract provides no pooled effect estimates or details on outcome precision.