Kangaroo care for the preterm infant and family

Abstract

Kangaroo care (KC) is the practice of skin-to-skin contact between infant and parent. In developing countries, KC for low-birthweight infants has been shown to reduce mortality, severe illness, infection and length of hospital stay. KC is also beneficial for preterm infants in high-income countries. Cardiorespiratory and temperature stability, sleep organization and duration of quiet sleep, neurodevelopmental outcomes, breastfeeding and modulation of pain responses appear to be improved for preterm infants who have received KC during their hospital stay. No detrimental effects on physiological stability have been demonstrated for infants as young as 26 weeks' gestational age, including those on assisted ventilation. Mothers show enhanced attachment behaviours and describe an increased sense of their role as a mother. The practice of KC should be encouraged in nurseries that care for preterm infants. Information is available to assist in developing guidelines and protocols.Kangaroo care (KC) is the practice of skin-to-skin contact between infant and parent. In developing countries, KC for low-birthweight infants has been shown to reduce mortality, severe illness, infection and length of hospital stay. KC is also beneficial for preterm infants in high-income countries. Cardiorespiratory and temperature stability, sleep organization and duration of quiet sleep, neurodevelopmental outcomes, breastfeeding and modulation of pain responses appear to be improved for preterm infants who have received KC during their hospital stay. No detrimental effects on physiological stability have been demonstrated for infants as young as 26 weeks’ gestational age, including those on assisted ventilation. Mothers show enhanced attachment behaviours and describe an increased sense of their role as a mother. The practice of KC should be encouraged in nurseries that care for preterm infants. Information is available to assist in developing guidelines and protocols.La méthode kangourou (MK) désigne la pratique qui consiste à mettre le nourrisson peau contre peau avec son parent. Dans les pays en développement, il est démontré que, pour les nourrissons de petit poids de naissance, la MK réduit la mortalité, les maladies graves, les infections et la durée des hospitalisations. La MK est également bénéfique aux nourrissons prématurés des pays à revenu élevé. La stabilité cardiorespiratoire et la thermostabilité, l’organisation du sommeil et la durée du sommeil paisible, les issues neurodéveloppementales, l’allaitement et la modulation des réponses à la douleur semblent être plus positives chez les prématurés qui profitent de la MK pendant leur hospitalisation. On n’a relevé aucun effet néfaste sur la stabilité physiologique des nourrissons dès 26 semaines d’âge gestationnel, même lorsqu’ils étaient sous ventilation assistée. Les mères présentent des comportements d’attachement plus marqués et une meilleure perception de leur rôle de mère. Il faudrait favoriser la pratique de la MK dans les pouponnières qui soignent des nourrissons prématurés. Les auteurs fournissent de l’information pour contribuer à l’élaboration de lignes directrices et de protocoles.