Kangaroo position: Immediate effects on the physiological variables of preterm and low birth weight newborns

Érica Cesário Defilipo,Caroline Chaves Lessa Nogueira,Geisiane Pereira Ananias,Paula Silva De Carvalho Chagas,Andrea Januário Da Silva

doi:10.1590/1980-5918.030.s01.ao21

Érica Cesário Defilipo, Caroline Chaves Lessa Nogueira + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/1980-5918.030.s01.ao21

Copy DOI

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: The Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) method is a significant neonatal alternative that ensures better quality humanized care for preterm and low birth weight newborns. Objective: To analyze the immediate physiological effects of the kangaroo position in critically ill newborns. Methods: Open clinical trial with parallel interventions, involving preterm (up to 28 days old) low or very low birth weight newborns (minimum weight of 1,250 grams) of both sexes, that were clinically stable and undergoing enteral nutrition. The degree of respiratory distress was assessed and quantified using the Silverman-Anderson scoring system. Heart rate and peripheral oxygen saturation were collected using a pulse oximeter. Respiratory rate was determined by auscultation for one minute. The newborns were submitted to the kangaroo position once only, for 90 minutes. Results: Participants were 30 newborns, 56.7% of which were girls. Comparison of the variables before and after application of the kangaroo position using the Wilcoxon test showed a statistically significant reduction in respiratory rate (p = 0.02) and Silverman-Anderson score (p < 0.01). The remaining variables showed no significant differences: heart rate (p = 0.21), peripheral oxygen saturation (p = 0.26) and axillary temperature (p = 0.12). Conclusion: There was a decline in the respiratory rate and Silverman-Anderson score after application of the kangaroo position, while peripheral oxygen saturation, axillary temperature and heart rate remained stable.

Highlights

The Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) method is a significant neonatal alternative that ensures better quality humanized care for preterm and low birth weight newborns
The mothers and fathers were given information regarding the study and, after agreeing to participate, signed informed consent forms. Those included in the study were preterm and low birth weight newborns of both sexes, up to 28 days old, who met the inclusion criteria for KMC according to the Ministry of Health [7]: minimum weight of 1,250 grams, clinical stability, enteral feeding and mothers/fathers with sound physical and mental health
Implementation of the kangaroo mother care method in clinical practice is vital for premature newborns and their families

Summary

Introduction

The Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) method is a significant neonatal alternative that ensures better quality humanized care for preterm and low birth weight newborns. The expectations and anxieties inherent to preterm birth directly affect family structure, prompting the need to create a low-cost and efficient neonatal intervention plan to care for preterm newborns and their families [7, 9, 10] In this context, the Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) method is a significant neonatal alternative that ensures better quality humanized care for preterm and low birth weight infants [2, 7, 10, 11]

Objectives

Methods

Conclusion