Effect of kangaroo position on premature newborns

Abstract

Introduction: The kangaroo care method is a model of perinatal care aimed at the humanized care of the newborn and its family, which assists pregnant women in high-risk pregnancies or neonates in specialized hospitalization units, such as preterm and low birth weight infants. This position maintains skin-to-skin contact between the newborn and the parents, favoring affective bonding, thermal stability, encouragement of breastfeeding and the development of the baby. Thus, the kangaroo method is an effective and low-cost strategy, helping to reduce the mortality rate of premature and low birth weight babies. Methodology: Integrative literature review in the PubMed, LILACS and SciELO databases, using the descriptors: "Kangaroo Mother Care", "Kangaroo Mother Care and Low Birth Weight" and "Kangaroo Mother Care and Premature". A total of 12 articles were selected from 2015 to 2023. Studies published in low-impact journals were excluded. Discussion: Studies have associated kangaroo care with a reduction in mortality, incidence of infections, and hypothermia in premature and low birth weight babies, as well as improvements in body temperature, oxygen saturation, and mean weight gain. In addition, this position was also related to a shorter hospital stay, a lower stress level of the newborn and better cognitive development. Positive impacts were also observed on the mental health of mothers who adopted this method, highlighting benefits such as reduced risk of depression, anxiety and postpartum stress, which can be explained by a better mother-baby bond and complex physiological mechanisms, possibly related to increased oxytocin release. Conclusion: Given the low cost and positive impacts that the kangaroo care method has been demonstrating, the application of this approach is valid and beneficial for both neonates and mothers. Therefore, it is up to the attending physician to evaluate the indication of the method to his patients, and thus define whether there is an indication for the use of the technique.