{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,19]],"date-time":"2026-06-19T16:25:41Z","timestamp":1781886341948,"version":"3.54.5"},"reference-count":50,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"9","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,9,16]],"date-time":"2025-09-16T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1757980800000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"funder":[{"name":"Spanish Society of Neonatal Nursing (SEEN)"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Children"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Background: Skin-to-skin contact (SSC) is established as a standard of care due to its demonstrated benefits for preterm newborns, with evidence showing that earlier and more prolonged skin-to-skin contact correlates with reduced morbidity in neonates. Preterm newborns frequently require an umbilical venous catheter, and decisions regarding SSC implementation often depend on nursing staff discretion, given the limited evidence on the safety of SSC in infants with umbilical venous catheters. Aim: The primary endpoint is to explore the experiences and perceptions of parents of preterm infants with umbilical venous catheter (UVC) who engaged in SSC. Methods: This mixed-method, cross-sectional observational study. Conducted from February 2021 to January 2023 at Vall d\u2019Hebron Hospital. The study recruited 190 participants, all progenitors of preterm neonates with umbilical venous catheters, who completed an ad-hoc survey with open and closed questions between the 7th and 10th days of the neonate\u2019s life. Results: Descriptive analysis indicated that 74% of progenitors-initiated skin-to-skin contact within the first 48 h of life; 88.4% reported enhanced emotional well-being during hospitalization while engaging in SSC; 80.4% considered SSC a safe method; and 46.6% were satisfied with the available support furniture. Additionally, 80.4% perceived skin-to-skin contact as beneficial for the developmental progress of their preterm newborn. Phenomenological analysis identified three key categories: perceptions, support and environment. Conclusions: Promoting SSC provides substantial benefits for preterm neonates. Initiating skin-to-skin contact while the infant has an UVC supports earlier initiation and increased hours of SSC. Positive family feedback on SSC with UVC adds value to promoting this practice in neonatal units. SSC with UVC venous catheter is a safe and positive experience for parents. Information, practical support and the integration of the parents\u2019 perspective will be key in the realization of SSC. These findings should encourage other neonatal units to review protocols and actively promote early SSC with UVC.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/children12091234","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,9,16]],"date-time":"2025-09-16T07:33:02Z","timestamp":1758007982000},"page":"1234","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":1,"title":["Perceptions and Experiences of Parents of Preterm Infants with Umbilical Venous Catheter Undergoing Skin-to-Skin Contact"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"12","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-6110-9347","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Elena","family":"Carrillo-Messa","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Neonatology Unit, Department of Nursing, Vall d\u2019Hebron University Hospital, 08035 Barcelona, Spain"},{"name":"Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences Blanquerna, Universitat Ramon Llull, 08035 Barcelona, Spain"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Laura","family":"Gonz\u00e1lez-Garc\u00eda","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Neonatology Unit, Department of Nursing, Vall d\u2019Hebron University Hospital, 08035 Barcelona, Spain"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Isabel","family":"Ramos-Soriano","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Neonatology Unit, Department of Nursing, Vall d\u2019Hebron University Hospital, 08035 Barcelona, Spain"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0003-9866-2482","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Irene","family":"Puerta-Capa","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Neonatology Unit, Department of Nursing, Vall d\u2019Hebron University Hospital, 08035 Barcelona, Spain"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Laura","family":"Merayo-Fern\u00e1ndez","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Neonatology Unit, Department of Medicine, Vall d\u2019Hebron University Hospital, 08035 Barcelona, Spain"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-7327-0066","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Alicia","family":"Montaner-Ram\u00f3n","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Neonatology Unit, Department of Medicine, Vall d\u2019Hebron University Hospital, 08035 Barcelona, Spain"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"F\u00e1tima","family":"Camba-Longueira","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Neonatology Unit, Department of Medicine, Vall d\u2019Hebron University Hospital, 08035 Barcelona, Spain"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-6407-9200","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Patricia","family":"Rubio-Garrido","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Neonatology Unit, Department of Nursing, Vall d\u2019Hebron University Hospital, 08035 Barcelona, Spain"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,9,16]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","unstructured":"World Health Organization (2025, March 07). 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