The Effect of Kangaroo Mother Care on Pain From Heel Lance in Preterm Newborns Admitted to Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: a Crossover Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract

Background: The heel-lancing procedure is a common tissue damaging procedure routinely performed in premature neonates and causes pain. Therefore, efforts should be made to relieve this pain. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the effect of kangaroo mother care (KMC) for a brief duration of 15 minutes on pain intensity of heel lance in preterm newborns admitted to neonatal intensive care units. Patients and Methods: In this clinical trial with crossover design, 64 vitally stable preterm neonates between 30-36 weeks of gestational age, who needed at least two heel lances, were randomly allocated to two groups. In group A, neonates received KMC 15 minutes before, during, and two minutes after the first heel lancing procedure. In group B, neonates were kept in prone position in incubator 15 minutes before lancing. For second heel lancing, the neonates in group A were put in incubator and group B received KMC. Premature Infant Pain Profile (PIPP) was scored during and within two minutes after finishing the procedure in both conditions. Results: The mean score of pain intensity during the intervention was significantly lower in the KMC position (P < 0/000). Mean score of pain intensity at two minutes after intervention was also significantly lower in the KMC position (P < 0/000). Conclusions: KMC before and during heel lancing is a natural, easy to use, and cost-effective method to decrease pain in premature neonates. It is consistent with modern strategy of family-centered care in neonatal units.