Skin-to-Skin Contact Enhances Breastfeeding but Does Not Affect Cognitive Development in Very Preterm Infants: A Clinical Study

Recent research conducted by Trondheim University Hospital in Norway has investigated the impact of immediate skin-to-skin contact (SSC) between mothers and very preterm infants on their long-term development. The clinical trial assessed whether two hours of SSC right after birth could boost neurodevelopmental outcomes by age 2 to 3 years. The study involved 108 infants born between 28 and 32 weeks of gestation, all weighing over 1,000 grams and requiring minimal oxygen support at birth. These infants were randomly assigned to either receive immediate SSC in the delivery room or undergo standard care, which involved transfer to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in an incubator.

The primary focus was on cognitive development measured through the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition (BSID-III), at 2 to 3 years of age. Secondary measures included language and motor skills, breastfeeding practices, and parental reports. Results indicated no significant difference in cognitive scores between the SSC group and the standard care group, with mean scores of 99.6 and 99.4 respectively. Developmental delays assessed across both groups were similar, with approximately half of the children in each group scoring below clinical thresholds.

Contrasting these findings, the study showed notable benefits for breastfeeding. Infants in the SSC group were more likely to be breastfed at hospital discharge (84% vs. 67%), and the breastfeeding rate remained higher at 12 months (44% vs. 26%). Importantly, no adverse outcomes or complications were linked to SSC.

The researchers concluded that while immediate SSC does not appear to influence neurodevelopmental scores by age 3, it significantly promotes breastfeeding and maternal-infant bonding. These benefits align with previous evidence highlighting SSC's role in emotional connection and parental psychological health. Given the safety and low cost of this intervention, the authors advocate for its broader implementation in neonatal care settings, emphasizing its practical advantages beyond neurodevelopmental metrics.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-05-skin-contact-breastfeeding-cognitive-outcomes.html