The Effect of Neonates' Exposure to Their Mother's Scent on Weight Gain: A Randomized Controlled Study.

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of newborns' exposure to their mother's scent in the intensive care unit on their weight gain. Materials and Methods: This is an experimental randomized controlled study. One hundred and four neonates were included in the study. Two groups were observed in the research: the first group consisting of those exposed to their mother's scent (n = 52) and a second control group (n = 52). Data were collected with a data collection form and an infant body weight monitoring form. Significance for the study was accepted as p < 0.05. Results: Among the neonates, 61.5% were males, the gestational week of the infants was 38.49 ± 1.24, their mean weight was 3,213.32 ± 468.67 grams (g); the two groups were similar in terms of these characteristics (p > 0.05). The neonates exposed to their mother's scent at the beginning of the study were weighed, averaging 3,105.38 ± 487.69 g; at the end of Day 1 and Day 2, their mean weight was 3,150.77 ± 493.07 and 3,197.50 ± 489.06 g, respectively. It was seen that there were significant differences in the weight of the group of neonates exposed to their mother's scent before the experiment, on Day 1 and on Day 2 (p < 0.05). The neonates in the control group were weighed at the beginning of the experiment, exhibiting a mean of 3,119.42 ± 452.85 g. Their mean weight was 3,107.12 ± 463.30 g at the end of Day 1 and 3,116.63 ± 471.09 g at the end of Day 2. These differences, however, were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Conclusion: We found that the newborns exposed to their mother's scent in the intensive care unit registered a higher increase in weight. Our recommendation is that a mother's scent be routinely factored into neonatal care in intensive care units.