الفهرس 
Effect of skin to skin contact for a group of mothers and infants on cortisol level and pain profile of infants as indicators of stress
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Abstract
Background and objective: The newborn period exposes infants born ill or premature to a variety of stressors including painful procedures that may adversely affect their neurodevelopment. The primary aim of the present study was to investigate how skin to skin contact (SSC) influences indicators of stress in the infant as measured by cortisol level and pain profile. Methodology: This was a prospective case control study included 45 preterms (27-35weeks gestational age) randomized to either the KC (group A) or the controls (group B). group A (30 preterms) were allocated to kangaroo care (KC) for four days. Salivary cortisol was collected on D1 and again four days after KC. Pain during nasal suctioning on D1 and D4 was assessed using the Premature Infant Pain Profile (PIPP) And Neonatal Infant Pain Scale (NIPS). Results: As for cortisol, the cortisol level of the KC group was significantly lower than the control group after four days of receiving KC (p=0.017) in group A, PIPP decreased significantly in D4 compared to D1 (p < 0.001). In group B, there was no significant change of PPIP in D4 compared to D1. In group A, NIPS decreased significantly in D4 compared to D1 (p < 0.001). In group B, there was no significant change of PPIP in D4 compared to D1. Conclusion: KC leads to significant decrease in salivary cortisol levels in preterm neonates compared to control group. As for pain, KC is efficacious in reducing pain reactivity and improving pain-related regulation in preterm infants