Effects of parent-infant immediate skin-to-skin contact at very preterm birth: a randomized controlled trial

Background and aims Experiences during early development influence infants´ later health and development.

Our "Immediate Parent Infant Skin to Skin Contact Study (IPISTOSS)" examines if the sensory intervention of immediate skin-to-skin contact (iSSC) between parents and their very preterm newborns at birth is more effective than conventional care (CC) in enhancing newborn physiology and development trajectories and parental wellbeing.

Methods Randomized controlled trial conducted in Stockholm (SE) and Stavanger (NO) between 11/2018 – 06/2022.

Parents of very preterm infants (n=150) in pregnancy weeks 28/0 to 32/6 are randomized to iSSC with the newborn (initiated within 60 minutes after birth, maintained for six hours), or CC (initial separation with incubator care).

From birth on and over the first two years of life, infant physiology, epigenetic alterations, neurodevelopment, breastfeeding, mother-infant physiological and behavioral interactions and parental experiences are assessed. Mother-infant saliva cortisol levels and infant epigenetic profiles in buccal epithelial cells are measured.

Ethical approval exists. Analyses include regression- and mediationanalyses.

Pilot data confirm feasibilty of the intervention.Significance If our findings show that iSSC improves short- and long-term development of very preterm infants and has positive effects on parents, the initial care provided today can profoundly change for this high-risk population and thus revolutionize care.