Pilot study shows skin-to-skin care with parents improves heart rate variability in preterm infants in the neonatal intensive care unit.

Background: Skin-to-skin care in the newborn intensive care unit typically lasts for short periods of time and enhances breastfeeding, attachment, and parental self-esteem. Heart rate variability (HRV) increases with gestational age and is a measure of maturation of parasympathetic vs. sympathetic autonomic nervous system activity. HRV measurements may be useful in capturing changes in autonomic regulation in response to skin-to-skin care. Objective: To analyze the effects of skin-to-skin care on HRV in preterm infants receiving respiratory support. We hypothesized that skin-to-skin care would result in a more mature pattern of parasympathetic activity. Methods: In this prospective crossover study, infants <30 weeks' gestation and 1-6 weeks postnatal age had HRV recorded for 30 min before, during, and after skin-to-skin care sessions. HRV characteristics analyzed included the standard deviation of the normal-to-normal interval (SDNN), the root mean squared of successive differences of normal-to-normal intervals (RMSSD), and the standard deviation of decelerations (SDDec). Results: 10 infants between 25 5/7-29 6/7 weeks gestational age and 7-41 days postnatal age completed 22 sessions while receiving respiratory support (positive pressure ventilation or nasal cannula oxygen). Two measures of HRV (SDNN and RMSSD) were significantly decreased by the end of the skin-to-skin sessions, compared to pre-session values. SDNN decreased from a median of 10.44 ms before the session to 6.70 ms after being placed back in bed (p < 0.05), with RMSSD decreasing from a median of 6.80 ms before the session to 4.32 ms while being held at the end of 30 min (p < 0.05). Discussion: Skin-to-skin care with a parent resulted in a more mature autonomic nervous system pattern in preterm infants receiving respiratory support, suggesting physiologic benefit for the infant. No adverse events were seen during any session.

Impact of Parental Cancer on Children.

BACKGROUND/AIM: The majority of cancers affect the elderly, but 22.4% of all cases occur in the ages of 21-55. This age range represents common childbearing and child-rearing years, which imply that many of these patients have minor children. Approximately 2.85 million children under 18 live with a parent affected by cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Pubmed and Google Scholar were searched to identify literature on impact of parental cancer on children and potential interventions to support parents and children. RESULTS: We reviewed impact of parental cancer on daily routine, role changes, emotional problems and social functioning of children. We also discuss interventions that may be useful for parents and children. CONCLUSION: It is essential that we learn more about the impact of parental cancer on children and ways to support the families using evidence-based interventions.