Abstract
Introduction: Low birth weight infants (LBWI) constitute a worldwide problem with high neonatal and infant mortality and morbidity. Millions of newborn death could be avoided if more resources were invested in proven, low cost interventions designed to address newborn’s needs. Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) is one such low cost and proven method of care of low birth weight babies but has not yet been widely used in India.In this method the infant is placed between mother’s breasts in direct skin-to-skin contact, gives exclusive breast feeding and are discharged home early.It is particularly useful for care of stable LBW infants below 2000g. Objective: This prospective follow-up study was undertaken and had proved the beneficial effects of KMC to the LBW babies to study “Weight gain in Low Birth Weight infants during first year after Kangaroo Mother Care. Results: KMC reduced mortality, improved breastfeeding rates; KMC for 24 hours was possible with regular intensive counseling of mothers and other family members. The early discharge policy for low birth weight babies was possible and beneficial to achieve intrauterine growth accretion through regular follow-up and monitoring of babies. Conclusion: In low resources setting in developing world like India KMC- reduces mortality, improves breast feeding rate & help in early discharge of low birth weight babies.
Highlights
Low birth weight infants (LBWI) constitute a worldwide problem with high neonatal and infant mortality and morbidity
This study was undertaken from October 2005 to January 2007 in babies who were receiving Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) in “Shishu Ghar” which is a major referral centre for deliveries with possible complications along with a tertiary level neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and Ambulatory kangaroo mother care center
One hundred and thirteen (39.1%) babies were not enrolled and not meeting the inclusion criteria because of various reasons like, 30 (10.3%) babies died in NICU before enrollment, 13 (4.4%) babies were discharged against medical advice, 2 (0.6%) babies required transfer to other department or hospital, 16 (5.5%) mothers refused for enrollment as they were planning to go to native place after delivery and did not agree to come for continuous follow-up
Summary
Low birth weight infants (LBWI) constitute a worldwide problem with high neonatal and infant mortality and morbidity. Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) is one such low cost and proven method of care of low birth weight babies but has not yet been widely used in India. In this method the infant is placed between mother’s breasts in direct skin-to-skin contact, gives exclusive breast feeding and are discharged home early. The method in which baby is kept in mother’s total skin to skin contact is known as Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) This full of humanity technique comes at a much lower cost for the adequate care of the babies who are born with a low birth weight.
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