Skin-to-Skin Contact and Hypothermia in Newborns: A Literature Review

Running head: LITERATURE REVIEW 1
Literature Review
Student’s Name
Institution’s Affiliations
Date

LITERATURE REVIEW 2
PICOT Question: How does direct skin-to-skin contact, compared to absence of skin-to-skin
contact, affect the incidence of hypothermia in newborns, as measured by the infant’s body
temperature within the normal range of 36.5 C and 37.5 C, encourage breastfeeding and
improve mother-child bonding, when implemented within the first hour after birth, within a
10-week time period?
P: Population: Newly born infants and Mothers
I: Intervention: Skin-to-Skin Contact
C: Comparison: Avoidance of Skin-Skin Contact
O: Outcome: Alleviation of Hypothermia, improved breastfeeding and mother-child bonding
T: Time Period: 10 weeks
Introduction
Skin-to-skin contact (SSC) has been observed to cause positive results in neonatal
health conditions. These positive outcomes include improved breastfeeding of infants and a
strong bond between the infant and mother. Hypothermia is a condition that affects most of
the infants, therefore leading to an abnormal decrease in body temperatures below normal
levels. More than 20% of infants experience several problems when SSC is not introduced
immediately after birth (Chan et al, 2016). The symptoms of the recession may have negative
impacts on both the mother and the new-born. Skin-to-skin contact between the infant and the
mother is effective in the reduction of the problems related to the postnatal care. Research
outcomes from various nursing studies have shown that SCC is important in reducing infant
mortality rates (Alenchery et al, 2018). SSC also promotes mental growth and development
in infants. SSC leads to cognitive development of the infants (Feldman, Rosenthal, &
Eidelman, 2014). Poor maternal care has led to serious clinical problems that relate to lack of

LITERATURE REVIEW 3
regular SSC during the early lives of the infants (Vilinsky, Sheridan & Nugent, 2016). The
period taken to accomplish the project was ten weeks because new-borns require intensive
care from their mothers at this age. This paper will succinctly analyse the positive effects of
SSC and barriers associated with the implementation of the project in nursing practice.
Discussion
Comparing of the Research Questions
The analysis and comparison of the research questions are crucial in the
implementation of this project. Research questions provide a guideline for effective
understanding of the barriers of related to SSC and interventions to eliminate these barriers,
therefore, leading to improved care (Baley, 2015). The first research question focuses on the
barriers and strategies to be used in the implementation of the SSC in postnatal care period.
This research question analyses the main enablers .the enablers in the implementation of SSC
include the availability of knowledge on the benefits of this practice in maternal care. One of
the known benefits of SSC is the development of a stronger bond between the infant and the
mother. From the research study, it is identified that the scarcity of skilled personnel is the
main barrier interfering with the implementation and adoption of SSC in infant care practices.
There was a reduced number of competent nursing personnel in the labor room as compared
to a large number of women giving birth. Another barrier in the implementation of SSC
practice was the doubts from the people on the efficacy of the practice in neonatal and
maternal care. Lastly, the lack of motivation from the experienced staff was another barrier
that influenced the adoption of SSC. Teamwork is one of the strategies to be used in avoiding
the negative effects related to the implementation barriers (Moore, Bergman, Anderson &
Medley, 2016). Teamwork and consultation improve the effective performance of SCC in
eradicating postpartum depressions and earl childhood health conditions.