NICU study: does more time with parents help preterm babies thrive?

NCT ID NCT04761419

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study follows 90 premature babies born at 34 weeks or earlier in a Japanese NICU. Researchers track how much time parents spend with their infants, including skin-to-skin contact and care participation. The goal is to see if more parent presence lowers depression risk, improves bonding, shortens hospital stays, and boosts growth and development. No treatment is given—this is purely observational.

What this could mean

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

What this could lead to

If the findings show clear benefits, hospitals may adopt policies that encourage parents to spend more time with their premature babies in the NICU.

What could go wrong

This is an observational study, not a controlled experiment. It cannot prove cause and effect, and results may not apply to other hospitals or countries.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

Get updates

Get notified about this study

Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for FAMILY CENTERED CARE are added.

Our safety recommendation!

By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use

As listed by the trial registrant

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

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Nagano Children's Hospital

    Azumino, Nagano, 399-8288, Japan