Vol. 2, Issue 1, Part A (2025)

Background: Thermoregulation is a critical physiological function in preterm infants, who are particularly vulnerable to hypothermia due to immature skin, limited adipose tissue, and impaired thermogenic capacity. Early skin-to-skin contact (SSC), or kangaroo care, has been proposed as an effective, low-cost intervention to promote thermal stability and improve neonatal outcomes. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of early SSC on thermoregulation in preterm infants compared to standard incubator care, focusing on temperature stability and time to normothermia within the first two hours after birth. Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted among preterm infants (28-36 weeks gestation; birth weight 1200-2500 g) admitted to a tertiary neonatal intensive care unit. Infants were randomly allocated to SSC or incubator care. Axillary temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation were recorded at baseline, 30 minutes, 1 hour, and 2 hours post-intervention. Statistical analysis included Welch’s t-tests, chi-square tests, and Mann-Whitney U tests to compare groups. Results: A total of 120 preterm infants (60 SSC, 60 control) were enrolled. Mean axillary temperatures were significantly higher in the SSC group at 30 min (36. 52 °C), 60 min (36. 67 °C), and 120 min (36. 86 °C) compared to the control group (36. 35 °C, 36. 45 °C, and 36. 52 °C, respectively; p<0. 01). Median time to normothermia was 30 minutes in SSC and 60 minutes in controls (p=0. 029). Although the incidence of any-time hypothermia was lower in SSC (76. 7%) than controls (86. 7%), the difference was not statistically significant (p=0. 238). No adverse events related to SSC were observed. Conclusion: Early SSC significantly enhances thermal stabilization in preterm infants compared to incubator care, enabling faster achievement of normothermia without compromising safety. As a cost-effective and family-centered intervention, SSC should be integrated into standard neonatal nursing protocols, supported by structured training, infrastructure, and policy frameworks to maximize its impact in both resource-rich and resource-limited settings.