PreTouch - Contact research with premature babies

In this EU-funded project (Era-Net Neuron), we are investigating the development of so-called C-tactile nerve fibers together with our project partners in Hungary, France and Norway. These fibers are found almost everywhere in our skin and form a special nervous system with which we perceive gentle touches such as stroking. Various studies have shown that gentle stroking not only feels good, but also has an effect on the body. With C-tactile-optimal stroking (1-10 cm/s), the autonomic nervous system calms down: breathing slows down, the pulse rate drops and oxygen saturation in the blood increases. This effect is particularly exciting for the care of premature babies. If babies are born prematurely, they often have problems regulating their autonomic nervous system. Heart rate abnormalities, for example, can lead to complications and life-threatening conditions. In mature babies, a typical C-tactile calming effect caused by stroking has already been observed. But what is not yet known is: when does the C-tactile system start to develop in premature babies? What exactly does C-tactile-optimal stimulation in premature infant care need to look like in order to promote the child's development? This is what we want to find out in two studies in cooperation with the neonatal units of the university hospitals in JenaExternal link and DresdenExternal link.