Effect of Kangaroo Care on Mental and Motor Development in Premature Infant and Maternal Role Confidence

Abstract

Objectives: This study was done to verify the Kangaroo Care program on mental and motor development in premature infant and maternal role confidence. Methods: Subjects were of 26 weeks in gestational age, of 700 g in birth weight, for which matching method was used. As for experimental group of 7 couples of infant and mother, Kangaroo Care was applied 10 times in 3 weeks, while control group of another 7 couples was not applied of Kangaroo Care. Also, Kangaroo Care was conducted at home for experimental group until 4 months of corrected age after discharge. Self reported questionaire was used for confidence of maternal role, Mental Developmental Index (MDI) and Psychomotor Developmental Index (PDI) were evaluated using Bayley Scale of Infant Development (II). Results: There was significant difference over the mental development of preterm infants (Z= -3.15, p=.002), confidence of maternal role (Z=-2.26, p=.024) between two groups. There was no significant difference over the motor development of preterm infants between two groups. Conclusions: It was confirmed that Kangaroo Care program has effects to the mental development of premature infants and confidence of maternal role. It is highly recommended to practice Kangaroo Care in nursery for promotion of maternal role confidence as well as facilitating development of premature infants.