AIM: The aim was to compare growth in very premature infants cared for in a single-family room and an open-bay unit. We recorded duration of parental presence and skin-to-skin contact as proxies for parental involvement in care of their infants.

METHODS: We consecutively included infants with gestational ages 28+0 through 32+0 weeks at two hospitals in Norway, one single-family room unit (n=35) and one open-bay unit (n=42). Weight, length, and head circumference were followed from birth to four months after term date. Both units adhered to the same nutritional protocol and methods of recording events.

RESULTS: The single-family room mothers spent a mean (standard deviation) of 111 (38) hours and the open bay mothers 33 (13) hours with their infants during the first week and 21 (5) versus 7 (3) hours per day later. The respective duration of skin-to-skin care was 21 (10) versus 12 (8) hours during the first week and 4.2 (2) versus 3.0 (2) hours per day later. The differences were similar, but less pronounced for the fathers. The growth trajectories did not differ between the groups.

CONCLUSION: Single-family room care was associated with more parental involvement, but not with better growth. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.