Family-centered care for mothers and preterm infants

Evaluation of a Family-centred Care Intervention Based on Zero Separation and Couplet Care

Not applicable Interventional Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre · NCT05236023

This study tests a new approach that keeps mothers and their preterm babies together in the hospital to see if it helps them bond better and feel less stressed.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment556 (estimated)
SexAll
SponsorCopenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre Academic / other
Locations1 site (Hvidovre)
Trial IDNCT05236023 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study evaluates a family-centered intervention that promotes zero separation and couplet care for mothers and their preterm infants in a neonatal intensive care unit. The approach allows mothers and infants to be admitted together, receiving care from neonatal nurses while minimizing separation. The study includes a quasi-experimental design, qualitative process evaluations, and a health economic assessment to determine the intervention's cost-effectiveness. The goal is to improve mother-infant bonding and reduce stress associated with separation during critical early life stages.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include mothers with treatment-requiring conditions and infants born at or after 28 weeks of gestation who also require medical care.

Not a fit: Patients who are healthy mothers with infants in the NICU or those with severe conditions requiring adult intensive care may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this intervention could enhance the emotional and physical well-being of both mothers and their preterm infants.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown positive outcomes with family-centered care approaches, indicating potential success for this intervention.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Mothers with a treatment-requiring condition such as preeclampsia, bleeding, psychological diagnoses, discontinued milk production and infection.
* Infant from gestational age 28 weeks with a treatment-requiring condition such as respiratory distress syndrome (with respiratory support including mechanical ventilation), hyperbilirubinemia, infection, and low blood sugar.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Healthy mothers who does not need care and treatment, and has an infant admitted at NICU.
* Mothers who are admitted at an adult intensive care unit due to severe sickness (severe preeclampsia with spasm, severe bleeding of 4-5 liter, and severe HELLP syndrome) - counting one-two mothers a year

Where this trial is running

Hvidovre

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Premature BirthPost PartumInfantMother-Child RelationsFamilypreterm infantszero-separationFamily centred care
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.