Effect of kangaroo mother care on vital physiological parameters of the low birth weight newborn

Alpanamayi Bera, Jagabandhu Ghosh, Arun Kumarendu Singh, Avijit Hazra, Tapas Som, Dinesh Munian, Alpanamayi Bera, Jagabandhu Ghosh, Arun Kumarendu Singh, Avijit Hazra, Tapas Som, Dinesh Munian

Abstract

Objectives: Low birth weight (LBW; <2500 g), which is often associated with preterm birth, is a common problem in India. Both are recognized risk factors for neonatal mortality. Kangaroo mother care (KMC) is a non-conventional, low-cost method for newborn care based upon intimate skin-to-skin contact between mother and baby. Our objective was to assess physiological state of LBW babies before and after KMC in a teaching hospital setting.

Materials and methods: Study cohort comprised in-born LBW babies and their mothers - 300 mother-baby pairs were selected through purposive sampling. Initially, KMC was started for 1 hour duration (at a stretch) on first day and then increased by 1 hour each day for next 2 days. Axillary temperature, respiration rate (RR/ min), heart rate (HR/ min), and oxygen saturation (SpO2) were assessed for 3 consecutive days, immediately before and after KMC.

Results: Data from 265 mother-baby pairs were analyzed. Improvements occurred in all 4 recorded physiological parameters during the KMC sessions. Mean temperature rose by about 0.4°C, RR by 3 per minute, HR by 5 bpm, and SpO2 by 5% following KMC sessions. Although modest, these changes were statistically significant on all 3 days. Individual abnormalities (e.g. hypothermia, bradycardia, tachycardia, low SpO2) were often corrected during the KMC sessions.

Conclusions: Babies receiving KMC showed modest but statistically significant improvement in vital physiological parameters on all 3 days. Thus, without using special equipment, the KMC strategy can offer improved care to LBW babies. These findings support wider implementation of this strategy.

Keywords: India; kangaroo mother care; low birth weight; newborn; physiological parameter; preterm.

Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: None declared.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Temperature changes induced by kangaroo mother care sessions on the three successive study days
Figure 2
Figure 2
Changes in O2 saturation brought about by kangaroo mother care sessions on the three successive study days

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