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Updated: Jan 16, 2026
Transcutaneous Microcirculatory Imaging in Preterm Neonates
Published on: December 31, 2015
Perceptions and Experiences of Parents of Preterm Infants with Umbilical Venous Catheter Undergoing Skin-to-Skin
Elena Carrillo-Messa1,2, Laura González-García1, Isabel Ramos-Soriano1
1Neonatology Unit, Department of Nursing, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, 08035 Barcelona, Spain.
Insights
Skin-to-skin contact (SSC) is safe and beneficial for preterm infants with umbilical venous catheters (UVC). Parents reported enhanced well-being and perceived developmental progress, encouraging wider adoption in neonatal units.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal care
- Developmental pediatrics
- Parental experience
Background:
- Skin-to-skin contact (SSC) is a standard of care for preterm newborns, linked to reduced morbidity.
- Limited evidence exists on the safety of SSC for infants with umbilical venous catheters (UVC).
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the experiences and perceptions of parents of preterm infants with UVC who engaged in SSC.
Main Methods:
- Mixed-method, cross-sectional observational study conducted from February 2021 to January 2023.
- 190 parents of preterm neonates with UVC completed surveys between the 7th and 10th day of life.
Main Results:
- 74% initiated SSC within 48 hours; 88.4% reported enhanced emotional well-being.
- 80.4% considered SSC safe and beneficial for infant development.
- Key themes identified: perceptions, support, and environment.
Conclusions:
- SSC with UVC is a safe and positive experience for parents, supporting earlier initiation and increased contact.
- Positive family feedback supports promoting SSC with UVC in neonatal units.
- Integrating parental perspectives and support is crucial for successful SSC implementation.
Background:
Skin-to-skin contact (SSC) is established as a standard of care due to its demonstrated benefits for preterm newborns, with evidence showing that earlier and more prolonged skin-to-skin contact correlates with reduced morbidity in neonates. Preterm newborns frequently require an umbilical venous catheter, and decisions regarding SSC implementation often depend on nursing staff discretion, given the limited evidence on the safety of SSC in infants with umbilical venous catheters.
Aim:
The primary endpoint is to explore the experiences and perceptions of parents of preterm infants with umbilical venous catheter (UVC) who engaged in SSC.
Methods:
This mixed-method, cross-sectional observational study. Conducted from February 2021 to January 2023 at Vall d'Hebron Hospital. The study recruited 190 participants, all progenitors of preterm neonates with umbilical venous catheters, who completed an ad-hoc survey with open and closed questions between the 7th and 10th days of the neonate's life.
Results:
Descriptive analysis indicated that 74% of progenitors-initiated skin-to-skin contact within the first 48 h of life; 88.4% reported enhanced emotional well-being during hospitalization while engaging in SSC; 80.4% considered SSC a safe method; and 46.6% were satisfied with the available support furniture. Additionally, 80.4% perceived skin-to-skin contact as beneficial for the developmental progress of their preterm newborn. Phenomenological analysis identified three key categories: perceptions, support and environment.
Conclusions:
Promoting SSC provides substantial benefits for preterm neonates. Initiating skin-to-skin contact while the infant has an UVC supports earlier initiation and increased hours of SSC. Positive family feedback on SSC with UVC adds value to promoting this practice in neonatal units. SSC with UVC venous catheter is a safe and positive experience for parents. Information, practical support and the integration of the parents' perspective will be key in the realization of SSC. These findings should encourage other neonatal units to review protocols and actively promote early SSC with UVC.
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