Temperature, metabolic adaptation and crying in healthy full-term newborns cared for skin-to-skin or in a cot.
The aim of the present study was to compare temperatures, metabolic adaptation and crying behavior in 50 healthy, full-term, newborn infants who were randomized to be kept either skin-to-skin with the mother or next to the mother in a cot "separated". The babies were studied during the first 90 min after birth. Axillary and skin temperatures were significantly higher in the skin-to-skin group; at 90 min after birth blood glucose was also significantly higher and the return towards zero of the negative base-excess was more rapid as compared to the "separated" group. Babies kept in cots cried significantly more than those kept skin-to-skin with the mother. Keeping the baby skin-to-skin with the mother preserves energy and accelerates metabolic adaptation and may increase the well-being of the newborn.
Christensson
K
K
Karolinska Institutet, Department of Pediatrics, Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
Siles
C
C
Moreno
L
L
Belaustequi
A
A
De La Fuente
P
P
Lagercrantz
H
H
Puyol
P
P
Winberg
J
J
D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000502:physiology*; D003448:Crying / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015370:Infant Equipment; D007231:Infant, Newborn / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology; D012867:Skin
D001786:Blood Glucose