Heather January, a nursing researcher, evaluated the practice of skin-to-skin contact (SSC) in preterm neonates within the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Skin-to-skin contact between newborns and parents, particularly mothers, has been widely studied and implemented globally. This practice was initially introduced over 40 years ago to provide warmth for newborns when other equipment like incubators were not available. However, the research on the safety and benefits of SSC on preterm neonates remains limited compared to full-term healthy newborns.

Preterm neonates are born under 37 weeks of gestation and are more likely to face complications such as hypothermia, infection, and respiratory distress than full-term newborns. They are often separated from their mothers immediately following birth and taken to the NICU for treatment and care. The World Health Organization and the United Nations Children’s Fund Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative have recommended the practice of SSC as soon as possible following birth based on various physical, social, and psychological benefits for both the mother and the baby. However, it is still unclear whether preterm neonates can also reap these benefits from SSC.

Studies on the effects of SSC on preterm neonates are limited but are a growing area of research. Various studies seek to understand the possible risks and benefits of SSC on preterm babies' development and health. Gupta et al. (2021) assessed the effect of early and immediate SSC on newborns of all gestational ages. Similarly, Marvin et al. (2019) aimed to evaluate how frequent SSC could enhance high-frequency heart-rate variability (HF-HRV) and improve neonatal development while reducing neonatal morbidity.

The studies reviewed in this paper were assessed for similarities and differences in designs, findings, and recommendations for neonatal nursing practice. The reviewed research on SSC on full-term newborns is more extensive than research on preterm neonates. The studies involve qualitative and quantitative research on the effects of SSC in practice, but there is a need for further research on this topic.

In conclusion, the benefits and safety of SSC on preterm neonates in the NICU need to be further studied and evaluated. While some research suggests possible benefits, such as enhanced vagal tone and improved health outcomes, more studies are required to provide a better understanding of the practice's risks and benefits. Nursing practices in labor and delivery units need to adopt protocols that incorporate SSC as a standard practice in neonatal care. Further studies may result in improvements in neonatal care and positively impact the health and development of preterm neonates.

The systematic review titled "Early Skin-to-Skin Contact Benefit Confirmed in Systematic Review, with Insufficient Studies on Very and Extremely Preterm Infants" by Gupta et al. (2021) utilized meta-analysis guidelines in its qualitative study.

Key Findings:

The study analyzed various articles and studies on skin-to-skin contact during the neonatal phase and inferred that early skin-to-skin contact in preterm infants, in particular, had a multitude of advantages. However, there were not enough studies conducted on very and extremely preterm infants, which was the review's only shortfall.

Nursing Practice Recommendations:

Despite the benefits of skin-to-skin contact, there is still a lack of understanding of preterm infants' specific needs in hospitals and the absence of neonatal units that prioritize skin-to-skin contact. As a result, further studies must be conducted to resolve these gaps and implement standardized practices that are effective in all healthcare facilities.

Conclusion:

The review supports early skin-to-skin contact in preterm infants, as it delivers crucial benefits in the neonatal phase, including improved cognitive, physiological, and emotional functioning. However, the review also highlights the need for additional studies to be conducted on very and extremely preterm infants.

References:

The systematic review cites various research works conducted on the topic, including Almgren (2018), Kristoffersen et al. (2017), Marvin et al. (2019), as well as Polit and Beck's (2022) Essentials of Nursing Research. The studies analyzed supported the review's conclusion that early skin-to-skin contact yields numerous benefits.