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.
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As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Nagano Children's Hospital
Azumino, Nagano, 399-8288, Japan
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