Growth, Morbidity and Neurological Outcome of a Cohort of Neonates in a Kangaroo Mother Care Program, in a Regional Hospital in Cameroon

Abstract

Background: Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) is a cost-effective intervention for the management of low birth weight babies in resource-limited settings such as Cameroon. Outcome data on babies followed through this intervention have been scarce since the implementation of the KMC programme in the Regional Hospital of Bamenda (RHB), North West region of Cameroon. Objectives: This study aimed at assessing growth, morbidity and outcome of neonates in the Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) at the Regional Hospital Bamenda, Cameroon. Methods: It included 132 neonates with a birth weight of <2500 g who received KMC and followed up after discharge from 40 weeks post-conception, then 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months of age. Motor development was evaluated using the Infant Neurological International Battery (INFANIB) test. Results: Weight and height followed the same pattern as for term new-borns on the World Health Organization (WHO) curves. The same pattern of growth for head circumference was noted except at 6 months in boys and 9 months in girls, where an acceleration at the 95th percentile was observed. The three most common morbidities observed were upper respiratory tract infections (46.96%), diaper rashes (15.91%) and abdominal infant colics (9.85%). Neurological evaluation was appropriate when compared with WHO standards. Conclusion: Growth and neurological evaluation was appropriate and comparable with WHO references and few morbidities were noted. Keywords: Kangaroo Mother Care; Neonates; Growth; Outcome; Cameroon