Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on developmental care practices for infants born preterm

Skin-to-skin holding in relation to white matter connectivity in infants born preterm

Background and Objectives

Preterm birth is associated with altered white matter development and long-term neurodevelopmental impairments. Skin-to-skin care (kangaroo care) has well-documented benefits for physiological stability and bonding, but its association with neonatal brain structure remains unclear. This study explored the association between in-hospital skin-to-skin care and neonatal white matter microstructure in frontal and limbic pathways that are linked to stress regulation and socio-emotional development, processes potentially influenced by affective touch during skin-to-skin care.

Methods

This retrospective study analyzed electronic medical records and diffusion MRI data collected from 86 preterm infants (<32 weeks gestational age) in a single NICU. Skin-to-skin care exposure was quantified as total duration (minutes/instance) and rate (minutes/day) of sessions. Diffusion MRI scans obtained before hospital discharge assessed mean diffusivity (MD) and fractional anisotropy (FA) in the cingulate, anterior thalamic radiations (ATR), and uncinate fasciculus. Hierarchical regression models examined associations between skin-to-skin care and white matter microstructure, adjusting for gestational age, health acuity, postmenstrual age at scan, and MRI coil type. Sensitivity analyses controlled for socioeconomic status and NICU visitation frequency.

Results

Skin-to-skin care duration was positively associated with MD in the cingulate (B = 0.002, p = 0.016) and ATR (B = 0.002, p = 0.020). Skin-to-skin care rate was also positively linked to MD in the ATR (B = 0.040, p = 0.041). Skin-to-skin care duration and rate were not associated with FA in the cingulate but skin-to-skin duration and rate were negatively associated with FA in the ATR (duration: B = -0.001, p = 0.020; rate: B = -0.017, p = 0.008). No significant associations were found for the uncinate fasciculus. Findings remained robust after adjusting for socioeconomic status and visitation frequency.

Discussion

This study provides novel evidence linking in-hospital experiences of skin-to-skin care to neonatal white matter development. These findings have important implications for understanding how family-centered neuroprotective practices, such as skin-to-skin care, may affect brain development to improve long-term developmental outcomes.

The Impact of Pandemic-Induced Separation and Visitation Restrictions on the Maternal-Infant Dyad in Neonatal Units: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 pandemic affected the maternal-infant dyad, especially due to visitation restrictions in neonatal units. These changes may impact the psychological, physical, and developmental health of mothers and newborns.

PURPOSE

This systematic review evaluates the impact of enforced separation and restrictive visitation policies in neonatal units during the pandemic, focusing on the maternal-infant dyad.

DATA SOURCES

Data sources include CINAHL, MEDLINE, Web of Science, APA PsycINFO, Academic Search Ultimate, and Embase, covering studies published between 2020 and 2024.

STUDY SELECTION

A detailed search was conducted using terms related to COVID-19, maternal and neonatal health, and visitation restrictions in neonatal units. Articles were included if they were peer-reviewed, written in English, and focused on the impact of visitation restrictions on maternal and neonatal health.

DATA EXTRACTION

The data extraction process began with 789 references. After removing duplicates, we screened titles and abstracts. We then conducted a full-text assessment of the remaining studies, selecting 14 that met the inclusion criteria.

RESULTS

The analysis showed significant emotional, psychological, and developmental impacts on mothers and newborns due to pandemic-induced separation and inconsistent policies. It highlighted depressive symptoms, stress, bonding disruptions, and the effectiveness of virtual bonding.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE AND RESEARCH

The review emphasizes the need for family-centered care, coping strategies, and virtual bonding in neonatal units. It calls for culturally sensitive policies to support mothers and infants during crises. The review also highlights the importance of studying the long-term effects of pandemic-induced separations and improving support for future health emergencies.

An Internet-Based Developmental Home Care Support Program Improved Maternal Psychological Symptoms and Infant Growth: A Randomized Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVE

To examine the effects of an internet-based Developmental Home Care Support program (DHCSP) to reduce maternal psychological symptoms and improve preterm infants' physical growth outcomes.

METHODS

A randomized controlled trial was conducted. The mother-infant dyads ( nm  = 34, np  = 40) were randomly assigned to either the DHCSP intervention group or the control group. Data were collected at discharge (T 0 ), 1-month corrected age (T 1 ), and 2-month follow-up (T 2 ), including mothers' postpartum depressive and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and mother-proxy infants' body length, weight, and head circumference.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences in sociodemographic characteristics between the 2 groups at T 0 , except for mothers' age and monthly household income (both P = .01). Mothers in the DHCSP group reported significantly higher decreases in depression symptoms ( β  = -2.24; 95% confidence interval [CI], -4.31 to -0.16, P = .03), and their preterm infants showed significantly more increases in body length ( β  = 2.09; 95% CI, 0.30-3.87, P = .02) than the control participants at T 2 . The 2 groups did not show significant differences in mothers' PTSD symptoms or infants' body weight and head circumference.

CONCLUSION

The internet-based DHCSP intervention was effective in improving mothers' depressive symptoms and infants' body length.

Inpatient Skin-to-skin Care Predicts 12-Month Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Very Preterm Infants

OBJECTIVE

To examine the relationship between inpatient skin-to-skin care rates and neurodevelopmental scores measured at 12 months in very preterm (VPT) infants.

STUDY DESIGN

From a retrospective review of medical records of 181 VPT infants (<32 weeks gestational age [GA] at birth), we derived skin-to-skin care rate, ie, total minutes of skin-to-skin care each infant received over the number of days of hospital stay. We used scores on the Capute Scales from routine follow-up assessments at 12 months to measure neurodevelopmental outcomes.

RESULTS

Families averaged approximately 17 minutes/day of skin-to-skin care (2 days/week, 70 minutes/session), although there was substantial variability. Variation in skin-to-skin rate was positively associated with outcomes at 12 months corrected age (r = 0.25, P < .001). Skin-to-skin rate significantly predicted 6.2% unique variance in 12-month neurodevelopmental outcomes, after adjusting for GA, socioeconomic status (SES), health acuity, and visitation frequency. A 20-minute increase in skin-to-skin care per day was associated with a 10-point increase (0.67 SDs) in neurodevelopmental outcomes at 12 months. GA and infant health acuity did not moderate these relations.

CONCLUSION

VPT infants who experienced more skin-to-skin care during hospitalization demonstrated higher scores on 12-month neurodevelopmental assessments. Results provide evidence that skin-to-skin care confers extended benefits to VPT infants through the first year of life. Skin-to-skin care offers promise as a family-centered intervention designed to promote positive developmental outcomes in at-risk infants.

Optimal presence: enhancing parent integration to maximize neurodevelopmental outcomes in preterm infants

Preterm birth disrupts the natural progression of events in the parent-infant relationship and bestows many of the typical parent responsibilities to the clinical care team. In turn, the neonatal intensive care environment (NICU) introduces obstacles to parents that would not otherwise be encountered and forces parents to adapt to this artificial environment as they seek to bond with and care for their newborn. Facilitating parent presence at the bedside and incorporating them into the care of their preterm infant is critical for lessening the immediate burden to both the parent and offspring while also ensuring the best possible outcome for preterm infants. In this review, we explore the impact that parents exert on the neurodevelopmental outcome of preterm infants and identify several barriers and facilitators to parent presence.

Did the COVID-19 Pandemic Affect the Stress Levels among the Mothers of Premature Infants? A Narrative Review of the Present State of Knowledge, Prevention Strategies, and Future Directions

Understanding COVID-19's effects on susceptible populations remains essential for clinical implementations. Our review aimed to examine whether the pandemic significantly impacted the stress levels in the mothers of premature infants in NICUs. The review of the literature from Google Scholar and PubMed resulted in identifying specific stressors such as the disruption of healthcare systems, limited access to neonatal care, uncertainty due to frequent changes in restrictions, the risk of COVID-19 infection, social isolation, and financial stress. While some quantitative studies concerning this topic did not show a significant increase in the perception of stress in this population compared to the pre-pandemic group, various research has indicated that the COVID-19 pandemic may result in enduring impacts on the emotional and neurological development of children. This article demonstrates a correlation between the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic and an elevated incidence of depressive symptoms among the mothers of premature infants. Further studies are needed to assess the long-term impact of pandemic-induced stress.

Investigating Relations between the NICU Speech Environment and Weight Gain in Infants Born Very Preterm

OBJECTIVE

Children born preterm, especially those born very preterm (<32 weeks of gestational age [GA]) are at risk for poor growth and adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes. Adverse growth and neurodevelopmental outcomes in preterm children have been attributed, in part, to the aversive sounds and relative speech paucity of the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Experimental studies that directly expose preterm infants to speech sounds in the NICU find significant improvements in health factors relevant to neurodevelopment. Few studies have examined whether natural variations in the speech environment of the NICU are related to short-term health outcomes in preterm infants. Such data are important for optimizing the sound environment of the NICU. Our objective was to examine relations between the NICU speech environment and the rate of weight gain during hospitalization.

STUDY DESIGN

Participants were infants born very preterm (n = 20). The speech environment of each infant was assessed at 32 to 36 weeks of postmenstrual age using an automatic speech-counting device. Average rates of weight gain (g/kg/d) were ascertained over the same period. Calories were derived from charted intake (kcals/kg/d). Linear regressions examined caloric intake and speech counts as predictors of infant weight gain.

RESULTS

Infant weight gain was significantly predicted by caloric intake and speech exposure, each uniquely accounting for approximately 27% variance (total R 2 = 60.2%; p < 0.001). Speech counts were uncorrelated with rates of family visitation, time in incubator, or health acuity.

CONCLUSION

While future research should establish causality and direction of effects, enhancing speech exposure in the NICU may be beneficial for physical growth. NICU care plans should consider opportunities to increase speech exposure.

KEY POINTS

· Preterm infants who experienced greater amounts of speech in the NICU gained significantly more weight than preterm infants who were exposed to lower amounts of speech during the same developmental period (32-36 weeks of postmenstrual age).. · Caloric intake and speech counts accounted for almost 60% of variance in infant weight gain between 32 and 36 weeks of postmenstrual age.. · Speech counts were not significantly correlated with family visitation, how long infants resided in incubators, or health acuity.. · Findings suggest that the NICU speech environment may play an important role in the physical health of preterm infants; however, more studies are needed to determine the directionality of the observed associations..

Maternal mental health and engagement in developmental care activities with preterm infants in the NICU

OBJECTIVE

To examine associations between maternal mental health and involvement in developmental care in the NICU.

STUDY DESIGN

Mothers of infants born <32 weeks gestation (n = 135) were approached to complete mental health screening questionnaires at two weeks after admission. Mothers who completed screening (n = 55) were further classified as with (n = 19) and without (n = 36) elevated scores. Mothers' frequency, rate, and duration of developmental care activities were documented in the electronic health record.

RESULTS

35% of screened mothers scored above the cutoff for clinical concern on ≥1 measure. No significant differences between the 3 groups were identified for rates, frequency, or amount of all developmental care, kangaroo care, and swaddled holding.

CONCLUSION

Elevated scores on maternal mental health questionnaires did not relate to developmental care. Maternal developmental care engagement may not indicate mental health status. Universal screening for psychological distress is required to accurately detect symptoms in mothers of hospitalized preterm infants.

The Effect of Maternal SARS-CoV-2 Infection on Neonatal Outcome

(1) Background: Neonates born to SARS-CoV-2 positive mothers are at risk of infection, as well as adverse outcomes due to the infection. The aim of our study was to analyze the impact of maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection on neonatal outcome. (2) Methods: We conducted a prospective, longitudinal study. We collected data on maternal symptomatology upon admission and their correlation with the development of the infant. Through a questionnaire we analyzed the impact on breastfeeding of the separation of the mother from the newborn, as well as the maternal psycho-emotional effect. (3) Results: Ninety infants were enrolled in the study, from one twin pregnancy and the rest singleton pregnancies. Out of the 89 mothers, 34 showed symptoms. Neonates from mothers with anosmia and ageusia had a higher value of WBC and lymphocytes (p = 0.06 and p = 0.04). Breastfeeding was started in 57.3% of mothers after their discharge from hospital and only 41.6% of the whole study group continued at the follow-up visit. Mothers who described a negative experience during hospitalization associated a 2.42 times higher risk of not continuing breastfeeding. (4) Conclusion: None of the infants enrolled in the study had SARS-CoV-2 infection either at birth or within the first two months of life. Breastfeeding was started with more than half newborns after discharge from hospital. The negative experience generated by the separation from their babies influenced breastfeeding.

Exploring the impact of the COVID-19 environment on nursing delivery of family-centred care in a paediatric hospital

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

To understand how the pandemic environment impacted the delivery of FCC of children and families from a nursing perspective in a major tertiary paediatric hospital.

BACKGROUND

Family-centred care (FCC) is a well-established framework to promote parental involvement in every aspect of a child's hospitalization, however, rules and restrictions in place during the COVID-19 pandemic affected the ways in which Family-centred Care could be delivered in practice.

DESIGN

This is a qualitative exploratory descriptive study to elicit the perspective of paediatric nurses delivering care to children in a hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic in Victoria, Australia.

METHODS

Nurses from all subspecialties in a tertiary paediatric hospital were invited to participate in virtual focus groups to discuss their experience of delivering FCC during the COVID-19 pandemic. Focus groups were recorded and transcribed, then analysed using Framework Analysis.

RESULTS

Nineteen nurses participated across seven focus groups during June and July 2020. The four themes-Advocating with empathy, Enabling communication, Responding with flexibility, and Balancing competing considerations-and the eight subthemes that were generated, outline how nurses deliver FCC, and how these FCC actions were impacted by the COVID-19 environment and the related hospital restrictions.

CONCLUSION

This study documents the experiences, resilience and resourcefulness of paediatric nurses in Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as moving Family-centred Care from a theoretical framework into a practical reality.

IMPACT

The findings from this study should inform consideration of the impacts of public health policies during infectious disease outbreaks moving forward. In addition by describing the core actions of Family-centred Care, this study has implications for educational interventions on how to translate FCC theory into practice. No public or patient contribution as this study explored nursing perceptions only.

Adaptation of infant mental health services to preterm infants and their families receiving neonatal intensive care unit services during the COVID-19 pandemic

Multiple changes and stressors at the family, hospital, and societal levels have resulted from the COVID‐19 pandemic that impact the early social environment of infants in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) settings. This manuscript reviews these pandemic‐related adversities, including hospital‐wide visitor restrictions, mask requirements that interfere with caregiver facial expressions, parental anxiety about virus transmission, and reduced support services. We will further describe adaptations to mental health service delivery and approaches to care in the NICU to mitigate increased risk associated with pandemic‐related adversities. Adaptations include integration of technology, staff education and support, and delivery of activity kits to encourage parent–infant bonding. Data was collected as part of routine program evaluation of infant mental health services from one 50‐bed NICU setting and describes family concerns, barriers to visitation, and utilization of mental health services during the pandemic. Concerns related to COVID‐19 rarely emerged as the primary presenting issue by the families referred for infant mental health services from April through December of 2020. However, a number of families indicated that infection concerns and visitation restrictions posed significant challenges to their parenting and/or coping. There were significant discrepancies noted between the visitation patterns of families with public and private insurance. Several adaptations were developed in response to the multiple challenges and threats to infant mental health present during the COVID‐19 pandemic.

Starting parenting in isolation a qualitative user-initiated study of parents' experiences with hospitalization in Neonatal Intensive Care units during the COVID-19 pandemic

BACKGROUND

Worldwide, strict infection control measures including visitation regulations were implemented due to the COVID-19 pandemic at Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs). These regulations gave restricted access for parents to their hospitalized infants. The consequence was limited ability to involve in the care of their infants. At Oslo University Hospital entry to NICU was denied to all except healthy mothers in March 2020. The absolute access ban for fathers lasted for 10 weeks. The aim of this study was to explore parental experiences with an infant hospitalized in the NICU during this absolute visitation ban period.

METHODS

We invited post discharge all parents of surviving infants that had been hospitalized for at least 14 days to participate. They were interviewed during autumn 2020 using an explorative semi-structured interview approach. Data were analyzed via inductive thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Nine mothers and four fathers participated. The COVID-19 regulations strongly impacted the parent's experiences of their stay. The fathers' limited access felt life-impacting. Parents struggled to become a family and raised their voices to be heard. Not being able to experience parenthood together led to emotional loneliness. The fathers struggled to learn how to care for their infant. The regulations might lead to a postponed attachment. On the other hand, of positive aspect the parents got some quietness. Being hospitalized during this first wave was experienced as exceptional and made parents seeking alliances by other parents. Social media was used to keep in contact with the outside world.

CONCLUSIONS

The regulations had strong negative impact on parental experiences during the NICU hospitalization. The restriction to fathers' access to the NICU acted as a significant obstacle to early infant-father bonding and led to loneliness and isolation by the mothers. Thus, these COVID-19 measures might have had adverse consequences for families.