Effect of kangaroo mother care on the growth and morbidity pattern of low birth weight infants: a hospital based cross sectional study

Abstract

Background: Kangaroo mother care provides Low birth weight babies with warmth, protection from infection and increases the success of breast feeding. Babies who had received KMC care were found to have better neurologic outcome. The aim of the study is to compare the outcome of Kangaroo mother care and conventional method of care among Low birth weight babies in terms of growth and reduction of morbidities such as length of hospital stay, hypothermia and hypoglycemia.Methods: This cross-sectional study included 48 neonates with a birth weight of <2000 grams. Out of them 24 babies received KMC and the other 24 babies were given conventional care with a radiant warmer. The weight gain, length of hospital stay, occurrence of hypothermia and hypoglycaemia were monitored for all babies till discharge.Results: Babies who received KMC had a better weight gain (21.11±2.8 grams/day) versus (15.61±2.6 grams/day) those who received conventional care, and this was found to be statistically significant (p=0.001). Kangaroo mother care provided a statistically significant reduction in the risk of having hypothermia (p=0.03) and hypoglycemia (p=0.04). The babies who received Kangaroo mother care had a shorter length of hospital stay and this was found to be statistically significant (p=0.03).Conclusions: Kangaroo mother care improved the growth and reduced the problems of low birth weight babies such as hypothermia, hypoglycaemia and prolonged hospital stay. Hence, it should be recommended in the care of all these high-risk neonates.