Comparison of Radiant Warmer Care and Kangaroo Mother Care Shortly after Birth on the Neurobehavioral Responses of the Newborn

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background of the study In 1978, kangaroo mother care (KMC) was proposed as a caring alternative for low birth weight infants. The method of skin to skin contact has shown physiologic, cognitive and emotional gains for preterm infant, however, kangaroo mother care has not been studied adequately in term newborns. The present study reporting early outcomes of comparing the kangaroo mother care to radiant warmer care. Objectives of the study: • To assess the neurobehavioral response of the newborn during radiant warmer care (RWC) and kangaroo mother care • The effect of radiant warmer care and kangaroo mother care on neurobehavioral response of the newborn. Methods A quasi-experimental post-test design was used in this study to compare the effect of kangaroo mother care and radiant warmer care on neurobehavioral response of term newborn. A total of 40 subjects who met the inclusion criteria were randomized—20 to KMC and 20 to RWC by simple random sampling technique. The data was collected by using the following tools: 1. Observational check list 2. Modified Brazelton Behavioral Assessment Scale. Results Both study groups were similar regarding all physiologic state variables. There is a slight difference in the behavioral state, the mean behavioral response scores of the RWC and KMC were 5.6500 and 5.9500 respectively, and the mean difference was 0.300. Interpretation and conclusion: The findings of the study showed that kangaroo mother care seems to influence state organization and physiologic state regulation of the newborn infant shortly after birth.