Objective: The principal aim of this prospective observational study was to assess the feasibility of skin-to-skin contact (SSC) with fathers during the transfer of preterm infants from the delivery room to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in comparison with incubator transfers. Study design: The study population comprised preterm singletons born between May and December 2019 in our maternity ward who did not require invasive ventilation. Physiological parameters (axillary temperature, heart rate and fraction of inspired oxygen) of the newborns were recorded at prespecified steps during the transfers. The impact of the transfer mode on early blood glucose level, blood gas, neonatal morbidities and mortality, the delay in the first SSC in the NICU and breastfeeding implementation and maintenance were also analyzed. Results: Twenty-eight preterm infants were transferred in incubators, and 29 infants were transferred using SSC. The SSC transfer induced heat loss (mean 0.45°C, SD 0.58). However, the decrease in temperature was similar to that observed during transfer in the incubator (mean −0.30°C, SD 0.49, p = 0.3). The transfer using SSC was not an independent factor associated with hypothermia at admission in the NICU (adjusted OR 2.6 [0.68−9.75], p = 0.16). Neonatal morbidities and mortality were similar regardless the transfer mode. The SSC transfer promoted early SSC in the neonatal unit (median hour [range] incubator 26 [2−126] vs. SSC 13 [1−136], p = 0.03) and breastfeeding at discharge (incubator 35.7% vs. SSC 69%, p = 0.01). Conclusion: The SSC transfer of preterm infants was feasible and promoted earlier SSC and breastfeeding. Nevertheless, the SSC transfer like the transfer in the incubator induced moderate heat losses that exacerbated hypothermia at admission in the NICU. The improvement of thermal conservation during infant positioning, and the continuation of SSC in the unit could help in preventing hypothermia.

Background: Early and repeated skin-to-skin contact (SSC) between infants and their parents during neonatal hospitalization has positive effects on maternal bonding, breastfeeding, parent-child interactions and preterm infant neurodevelopmental outcomes.Purpose: Transfers through SSC of newborn infants requiring intensive care over 300 meters between the birth room and neonatal unit have been implemented since 2018. The safety of SSC transfer with the infant’s father was questioned when compared to the more common transfer method in incubators.Methods: Singletons born from May to December 2019 at our three-level maternity ward that required intensive neonatal care were eligible. The infants’ axillary temperature, heart rate, and oxygen need were reported at four timepoints during transfer in an incubator or through SSC and at 30 minutes after arrival in the neonatal unit. Infant characteristics, blood gas, glycemia, time-lapse between birth and first SSC in the unit and feeding modes were also reported.Results: Median gestational age was higher in the SSC group (incubator (n=54): 32 weeks vs SSC (n=57): 36 weeks, p=.003). All infants requiring mechanical ventilation were transported in an incubator. A decrease in temperature was observed during incubator installation in the SSC group (incubator: 0°C vs SSC: -0.2°C, p< .001), but the first SSC in the unit was earlier in this group (incubator: 22 h vs SSC: 11 h, p= .001 and p= .008 after adjustment for gestational age). Implications for practice: Although thermal stability was compromised, encouraging results regarding the first SSC in the unit promote the continuation of SSC transfers.