Kangaroo Mother Care as compared to conventional care for low birth weight babies

Aim: To study the efficacy of Kangaroo mother care (KMC) as compared to conventional care for low birth weight babies.Materials and Methods: A randomized controlled trial was done on 114 neonates, delivered at Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College (JNMCH) Aligarh India (March’ 2006 to September’ 2007) by vaginal route and weighing ≤1800 grams at birth –58 neonates received KMC for 6-8 hours/ day in 4-6 sessions while 56 neonates in control group received conventional care (radiant warmers, cots in warm room). Efficacy was measured in terms of effect on growth, physiological parameters, length of hospital stay, morbidity, mortality and exclusive breastfeeding rates.Results: KMC and conventional groups were similar with regard to maternal and birth characteristics. Better weight gain per day (19.3± 3.8 g vs.10.4±4.8 g, p<0.001), significant reduction in respiratory rate (p<0.001), rise in rectal temperature and oxygen saturation (p<0.001), shorter duration of hospital stay (13.7±8.9 days vs. 15.0±10.3 days), lower incidence of nosocomial sepsis (6.9% vs. 23.2% p=0.014) and severe infection (p=0.003) and higher exclusive breastfeeding rates (p<0.01) were seen in infants receiving KMC. No statistically significant difference was seen between the two groups in terms of mortality.Conclusion: Kangaroo mother care results in better weight gain, decreases the risk of serious infections and hypothermia, stabilizes physiolo-gical parameters, decreases the hospital stay, promotes breast feeding and has no adverse effect on growth and mortality in LBW babies.