New evidence from the Immediate Parent-Infant Skin-To-Skin Study (IPISTOSS, Stavanger, Norway,) highlights the powerful impact of immediate skin-to-skin contact between parents and very preterm infants at birth. The study shows that this early closeness is safe and may play a crucial role in supporting infants’ language development and overall neurological well-being.
The Challenge of Preterm Birth
Very preterm infants, those born between 28 and 32 weeks of gestation, face an increased risk of developmental challenges due to the immaturity of their nervous systems. Early separation from parents, often necessary for medical stabilization, can add to the stress these infants experience at birth. Researchers from three Scandinavian neonatal intensive care units set out to investigate whether allowing parents and babies to remain in close contact immediately after delivery could make a difference.
The IPISTOSS Clinical Trial
Between April 2018 and June 2021, 91 infants were enrolled in the Immediate Parent-Infant Skin-To-Skin Study. Babies were randomly assigned to receive either immediate skin-to-skin contact (iSSC), being placed directly on the parent’s chest for the first six hours after birth, or conventional neonatal care.
Infant development was carefully monitored from birth to two years of age, including assessments of motor skills, cognition, and language development using standardized neurological tests such as the General Movement Assessment, Alberta Infant Motor Scale, and the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development.
Language Development Gains and Safe Outcomes
At two years of age, infants who received immediate skin-to-skin contact showed significantly higher language scores compared to those who experienced standard care, even after adjusting for parental education levels. No differences were found in motor development, cognitive ability, or autism screening, confirming that iSSC is safe for neurological outcomes.
“Skin-to-skin contact immediately after very preterm birth is not only safe, it may be vital for language and emotional development,” said Dr. Karoline Lode-Kolz, lead researcher from Stavanger University Hospital. “Our findings strengthen the call to minimize parent-infant separation in neonatal units worldwide.”
Supporting Global Guidelines
The IPISTOSS results align with World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations that encourage early and continuous skin-to-skin contact for preterm and low birth weight infants. By avoiding unnecessary separation, hospitals can help foster parent-infant bonding, stabilize infant physiology, and support long-term developmental outcomes.
A Step Toward Family-Centered Neonatal Care
This study adds to a growing body of evidence emphasizing the importance of family involvement in neonatal care. Immediate skin-to-skin contact is a simple, natural, and effective intervention that benefits both infants and parents—promoting connection, reducing stress, and enhancing early development.
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