Effect of kangaroo mother care on the weight gain of the low birth weight preterm infants

Abstract

A premature birth is one that occurs before the start of the 37th week of pregnancy. Preterm birth is commonly associated with Low birth weight (LBW), often have complicated medical problems. They may need extra care. Kangaroo mother care (KMC), care with skin to skin contact with mother or care giver has now become the standard of care either as an alternative to or an adjunct to technology based care. Objective of the study was to Effect of Kangaroo Mother Care on the weight gain of the Low birth Preterm Infants. 51 infants were included for the study; KMC was given for special neonatal care. LBW infants between 1000-1500 grams of birth weight & of gestational age 27-35.6 weeks were included in the study. Initial weight of the child as well as the KMC hours for the day were recorded for seven consecutive days. The Infants showed significant difference in weight gain between baseline & final assessment, with a P value of 0.00481. Thus, the study resulted with a positive outcome with a significant weight gain as well as with development of a strong mother-child bond through long hours of protective skin to skin contact.