Prematurity and the Role of Touch

Premature birth occurs in 11% of live births and is associated with disruptions to social and emotional development, brain maturation, and functioning of neurobiological support systems. Our birth-to-adulthood follow-up, apart for describing general outcome of preterm birth, focuses on long-term effects of maternal-newborn skin-to-skin contact (Kangaroo Care) on neurobiological and behavioral development and on maturation of the social brain in adults.    

Kangaroo Care

For over two decades we follow premature infants who received kangaroo care as neonates, versus matched controls deprived of initial contact, to pinpoint the role of maternal bodily contact for the maturing brain and the developing mind. 

Outcome of preterm birth

Our long-term follow-up of premature birth focuses on behavioral observations of children’s adolescents’ and adults’ social relationships, emotion regulation, and autonomic, neuroendocrine, and brain maturation.

Twins and Triplets

Our follow-up of children born as part of a triplet set uniquely highlights the triplet ecology and the effects of exclusive parenting (and its absence) on development.