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A Case Study of Infant Physiologic Response to Skin-to-Skin Contact After Surgery for Complex Congenital Heart

Tondi M Harrison1, Susan Ludington-Hoe

  • 1Tondi M. Harrison, PhD, RN, CPNP Assistant Professor, School of Nursing, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. Susan Ludington-Hoe, PhD, CNM, FAAN Carl W. and Margaret Davis Walter Professor of Pediatric Nursing, Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio.

The Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing
|October 18, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Skin-to-skin contact (SSC) appears safe for infants recovering from complex congenital heart disease surgery. This case study observed stable physiological responses during a single SSC session, suggesting potential benefits for these vulnerable infants.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Cardiology
  • Neonatal Intensive Care
  • Infant Physiology

Background:

  • Infants with complex congenital heart disease require intensive care and surgical intervention shortly after birth.
  • Skin-to-skin contact (SSC) is a recognized intervention for premature infants but not standard in cardiac intensive care units.
  • Physiological effects of SSC in infants with congenital heart disease need investigation.

Observation:

  • A single session of skin-to-skin contact (SSC) was administered to an 18-day-old infant with hypoplastic left heart syndrome.
  • Physiological parameters including heart rate, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, blood pressure, and temperature were monitored.
  • Measurements were taken before, during (including feeding interruptions), and after the SSC session.

Findings:

  • All monitored physiological parameters remained within clinically acceptable ranges throughout the 135-minute observation period.
  • The infant tolerated the skin-to-skin contact, including feeding, without adverse physiological events.

Implications:

  • This case study provides preliminary evidence supporting the safety of SSC for term infants post-complex congenital heart disease surgery.
  • Further research with larger sample sizes is warranted to explore SSC's effects on pre-operative infants and long-term outcomes.
  • Investigating SSC's impact on length of stay, maternal-infant bonding, and neurodevelopment is recommended.
Abstract

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