Holding hope: study tests Skin-to-Skin contact during infant cooling therapy

NCT ID NCT03079284

Completed Symptom relief Sponsor: Alexa Craig Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026

Summary

This study looked at whether mothers can safely hold their infants while they undergo therapeutic hypothermia (cooling) for a brain injury called hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). Ten infants were enrolled, and mothers held them for 30 minutes under careful monitoring. The goal was to see if holding increased risks like accidental rewarming or tube dislodgement, and to measure how it affected maternal stress and bonding.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: Holding during cooling (a procedure where mothers hold their infants during hypothermia treatment)
What this could lead to: If successful, this could show that holding is safe and may reduce stress and improve bonding for mothers and infants during cooling treatment.
What could go wrong: This is a very small safety study with only 10 infants, so results may not apply to all. There is a risk of accidental rewarming or dislodged medical tubes.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

brain hypoxia - ischemia perinatal asphyxia

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

HYPOXIC-ISCHEMIC ENCEPHALOPATHY

Contacts and locations

Locations

Maine Medical Center

Portland, Maine, 04102, United States

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