This study will evaluate the effect of maternal-infant skin-to-skin contact (SSC) versus routine care on general stress in preterm infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
Primary outcome of this trial to investigate the effects daily skin-to-skin contact on cumulative stress through measures salivary cortisol. The intervention group will receive mother-infant skin-to-skin contact at least 1 continuous hour everyday from infant 3 days of life until discharge. The control group will receive routine neonatal care during hospitalization except skin-to-skin contact. The concentration of salivary cortisol and other infant and parental outcomes will be measured in both groups.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
NONE
Preterm infants will receive maternal-infant skin-to-skin contact at least 1 continuous hour everyday from infant 3 days of life until discharge, and other nursing care will be same as the routine group. During skin-to-skin contact, place naked baby only with diaper on the mother's bare chest in an upright position and tilt the baby's head to one side in a slightly extended position to keeps the airway open, cover the infant with a blanket to keep them warm. A neonatal nurse will be stay with mother and infant to observe and support.
Preterm infants will receive standard nursing care provided by neonatal nurses in accordance with hospital principles during hospitalization.
Children's Hospital of Fudan University
Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality, China
Changes on the concentration of cortisol of preterm infants
At 3 days of life (baseline) and 7 days of life, the saliva sample will collected from preterm infants by a neonatal nurse. The concentration of salivary cortisol will be measured using by radioimmunoassay.
Time frame: From 3 days of life (baseline) to 7 days of life
Changes on the level of cortisol during heel lancet
At 7 days of life, saliva sample will collected from preterm infants by a neonatal nurse before and 30 mins after heel lancet.
Time frame: At the preterm infants 7 days of life
Score of Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale
Mothers' depression status will be measure by Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale through WeChat at discharge day. The questionnaire is a self screening tool, contains 10 items, each item is scored from 0-3 according to a 4-point Likert scale , and the total score is 0-30 points. The higher the score, the more severe the depression. All the questionnaires will collect and calculate by a neonatal nurse.
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 40 days
Length of hospital stays
Duration of hospitalization will calculate from the date of admission to the date of discharge, which obtained from clinical records files.
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 40 days
Crying time
At 7 days of life, crying time will be recorded and calculated by a neonatal nurse during heel lancet.
Time frame: At the preterm infants 7 days of life
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