Effect of Kangaroo Mother Care on weight gain in preterm neonates: Experience of a tertiary care hospital

Abstract

Background: Preterm low birth weight babies are at high risk for complications including poor weight gain, hypothermia and infections. Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC), a simple, low-cost intervention, has shown promise in improving neonatal outcomes in resource-limited settings. Objectives: To evaluate how KMC affects preterm LBW weight gain. Methodology: This randomized controlled trial study was conducted in neonatal ward of Bangladesh Shishu (Children) Hospital & Institute, Dhaka, Bangladesh from January 2023 to December 2023. Total 100 preterm neonates with birth weight 1250gm to 1800gm, gestational age >30 weeks to <35 weeks were included in this study. Neonates in this study were randomly enrolled by inclusions and exclusions criteria and were allocated either KMC group or control group by simple randomization with concealed sealed envelope technique. Fifty neonates (50) were in KMC group and 50 were in control group. Babies having major life threatening congenital malformation, perinatal asphyxia and required ventilator or ion tropic support and babies with critically ill mother were excluded. Results: The KMC group's mean birth weight was 1452.0±90.9gm, while the control group's was 1461.0±115.3gm (p>0.05). At discharge, the experimental group's mean weight gain was 12.2±4.1gm, while the control group was 8.7±3.3gm. Neonates in the KMC group had significantly higher daily weight gain compared to the control group (p<0.001). The KMC group also experienced fewer complications, including hypothermia, hypoglycemia, apnea, and sepsis. Additionally, the average hospital stay was shorter in the KMC group (14.5±4.1 days) versus the control group (16.9±5.4 days; p=0.01). Conclusion: KMC significantly improves weight gain, reduces complications, and shortens hospital stay among preterm neonates.

DS (Child) H J 2024; 40(2): 25-28