29 Sept 2025 • A nationwide study of 2,666 very preterm infants (24–31 weeks) found that early skin-to-skin contact (SSC) during the first week of life was linked to modest but significant cognitive benefits at age 5.

Among survivors, SSC exposure was associated with higher full-scale IQ scores (+2.3 points) and increased odds of scoring above −1 SD (OR 1.33).

SSC rates varied widely across neonatal units (5%–100%) and increased with gestational age.

Findings suggest a neuroprotective role of early SSC in enhancing long-term cognition in preterm children, highlighting the need for consistent implementation and further evaluation of dose–response effects.

Source: The Lancet | Read Full Story