Effect of early skin-to-skin contact on mother-preterm infant interaction through 18 months: randomized controlled trial.
BACKGROUND
Preterm birth often negatively influences mother-infant interaction. Skin-to-skin contact postbirth has positive effects on maternal feelings toward their preterm infants and on infant development and family interaction. However, little is known about the long-term effects of skin-to-skin contact on mother-late preterm infant interaction when skin-to-skin contact was experienced early postbirth and intermittently throughout the next five days.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this report was to examine the effect of skin-to-skin contact on mother-late preterm infant interaction through 18 months.


METHODS
Randomized controlled trial with follow-up.


METHODS
Two hospitals in the United States of America.


METHODS
100 mothers and their late preterm infants, 32 to <37 weeks' gestation, were recruited. Mother-preterm infant interactions were assessed in 69, 70, and 76 dyads at 6, 12, and 18 months.


METHODS
Mothers and their preterm infants were videotaped during a feeding session at 6 and 12 months, and a teaching session at 6, 12, and 18 months. Their interactions were then scored using the Nursing Child Assessment Satellite Feeding Scale and Teaching Scale.


RESULTS
Skin-to-skin contact and control dyads had comparable feeding scores at 6 and 12 months. Skin-to-skin contact infants had lower infant teaching scores at six months, a difference that disappeared thereafter.


CONCLUSIONS
These inconclusive results call for additional studies with larger doses of skin-to-skin contact, larger sample sizes, and other outcome measures of mother-late preterm infant interactions. Such measures include the Parent-Child Early Relational Assessment and behavioral coding during play.
College of Nursing, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA. schiu41@ufl.edu
Sheau-Huey
SH
Chiu
Gene Cranston
GC
Anderson
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D009820:Ohio; D012867:Skin; D014743:Videotape Recording