Effect of Skin-to-Skin Care on Skin Colonization in Preterm Infants
Author Information
Author(s): Deshpande Poorva, Akhtar Nosheen, Mansur Maura, McGeer Allison, Shah Vibhuti, Asztalos Elizabeth
Primary Institution: Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
Hypothesis
Early maternal skin-to-skin contact is associated with skin colonization with fewer pathogenic bacteria in preterm infants.
Conclusion
Early skin-to-skin care did not significantly alter the colonization patterns of commensals or pathogens in preterm infants.
Supporting Evidence
- Infants in the post-implementation group received a longer duration of skin-to-skin care during the first week.
- By day 7, all infants in both groups had detectable bacterial growth on skin swabs.
- No significant differences in colonization patterns were observed between the two groups at any time point.
- Early skin-to-skin care was not associated with adverse outcomes or increased colonization with potential pathogens.
Takeaway
Holding a baby skin-to-skin right after birth doesn't change the types of bacteria on their skin, even if they are born early.
Methodology
This was a prospective pre- and post-implementation study comparing skin colonization patterns in preterm infants who received early skin-to-skin care with those who did not.
Potential Biases
Potential confounding factors related to changes in NICU practices or environmental conditions over time.
Limitations
The study had a small sample size and was conducted at a single center, which may limit the generalizability of the findings.
Participant Demographics
Preterm infants born between 280/7 and 316/7 weeks gestational age.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p = 0.006
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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