Publication:

Kangaroo mother care in Preterm baby receiving assisted respiratory support (CPAP): a case-control trial

Background Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) is conventionally initiated in a baby who is stable and may or may not be on intravenous fluids, enteral feeds or oxygen. We hypothesized that KMC will be beneficial to preterm babies receiving assisted respiratory support in the form of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP).

Methods Prospective case-control trial of 28 preterm neonates (weight <2 kg and gestational age between 26 to 36 weeks) with respiratory distress who were on assisted respiratory support (CPAP), was conducted at a medical college hospital. They were studied in two groups of 14 each of KMC and no KMC. Primary outcome was early weaning from CPAP and secondary outcome was episodes of apnoea, hypothermia, septicaemia and mortality.

Results KMC group received KMC for an average 6.7 hours/ day. Most of the KMC practice occurred between 12 noon to midnight. Babies with KMC and NO KMC group took an average of (39±12) versus (52±24) hours to wean off from CPAP (p = ns). Episodes of apnoea, hypothermia, septicaemia and deaths were less in KMC group as compared to NO KMC group. Occurrence of physiological jaundice was higher among the KMC group as compared to the NO KMC group.

Conclusions It is possible to give KMC in preterm infants from the first day of birth who are on respiratory support (CPAP). Preterm infants receiving KMC had less episodes of apnoea, hypothermia, sepsis, and reduced mortality, though not significant. It was also beneficial in early weaning from assisted ventilation (CPAP).