Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 13, 2025
Transcutaneous Microcirculatory Imaging in Preterm Neonates
Published on: December 31, 2015
Supporting Early Skin-to-Skin Care of Infants Born at 22-23 Weeks' Gestation
Ylva Thernström Blomqvist1, Fanny Söderström1, Victoria Karlsson1
1Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
Aim:
While skin-to-skin care (SSC) early after birth has been demonstrated to promote many benefits in very preterm infants, including thermal stability, less is known about its feasibility in infants born extremely preterm. We aimed to evaluate our practice of initiating SSC in the 1 week of life also in the most immature infants, those born at less than 24 weeks gestation.
Methods:
Retrospective chart review of all inborn infants with a gestational age (GA) of 22+0-23+6 weeks, during a 5-year period (2015-2019) at Uppsala University Hospital, Sweden.
Results:
Out of 57 infants, 43 infants (GA 23+1 ± 0.5 weeks; birth weight 520 ± 75 g) had their first SSC in the 1 week of life, at a median (IQR) age of 4 (3; 5) days, when most infants were still receiving mechanical ventilation (93%) and had umbilical catheters (63%). SSC duration was 128 ± 74 min. Significant hypothermia (< 36.0°) occurred in 2/43 (5%). 72% survived.
Conclusions:
In our practice, skin-to-skin care in the 1 week of life is feasible, and in this retrospective study, few infants (5%) experienced hypothermia. Further improvements in the SSC procedure could be expected to further minimise the risk of hypothermia.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:26Standard Precaution
Hand hygiene is the most crucial means to prevent the transmission of disease. Employers are legally required to provide their workers with personal protective equipment (PPE) to minimize exposure or contact with...
01:19Handwashing II: Pre-procedure and Initial Procedure Steps
The hand washing procedure itself includes the following steps. First, cover cuts, if any, on hands with a waterproof dressing. Cuts and abrasions can become contaminated with bacteria hindering the ability to clean the area thoroughly. In addition, repeated hand washing can worsen an injury. The nails must be short and clean, without nail...
01:22Development of Immunocompetence
The initial cells that migrate from the fetal thymus settle within the skin and epithelial tissues lining the mouth, digestive tract, and in females, the uterus and vagina. These cells, including skin-based dendritic cells, serve as antigen-presenting cells, playing a key role in T cell activation.
Subsequent T...
01:22Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...