Korean J Perinatol.  2015 Dec;26(4):305-311. 10.14734/kjp.2015.26.4.305.

Efficacy and Safety of Kangaroo Mother Care in Preterm Infants in Korea

• Lim JH
• Shin JE
• Lee SM
• Eun HS
• Park MS
• Park KI
• Namgung R

• KMID: 2164185
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.14734/kjp.2015.26.4.305

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study aimed to identify the safety of Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) and to analyze its medical and psychological effects.
METHODS
Forty five preterm infants, admitted to Gangnam Severance Hospital NICU from October 2012 to September 2013, were recruited. KMC was performed for 1 hour daily until the discharge by either mother or father. The medical effects in KMC group were compared with historical control group. Psychological effects in KMC group were made a comparison with the non-KMC group.
RESULTS
The mean gestational age was 31.3+/-3.5 weeks, and the mean birth weight was 1,080+/-250 g. KMC was started at the mean age of 18.3+/-8.4 days. No event of hypothermia, bradycardia, desaturation, or hypotension occurred. There was no event of death or sepsis. Four patients (9%) had apnea but recovered after the tactile stimulation. Duration of the hospitalization in KMC group was significantly shorter than control group (P=0.041). Spielberger's anxiety scale decreased from 49.7 to 48.5. Muller's maternal attachment inventory increased from 98.4 to 99.5. Reduction of the self-happiness score improved from 5% to 70%. The score for Spielberger's anxiety scale tended to be lower in the KMC group than in the control group without statistically significant. Muller's maternal attachment inventory score was significantly higher in the KMC group.
CONCLUSION
KMC is a safe method to Korean preterm infants. Due to reduction of hospitalization and beneficial psychological effect, we believe that offering KMC to more preterm infants as a supplement therapy will be useful.

Keyword

Kangaroo mother care; Preterm infants; Clinical Efficacy; Safety

MeSH Terms

Anxiety
Apnea
Birth Weight
Bradycardia
Fathers
Gestational Age
Hospitalization
Humans
Hypotension
Hypothermia
Infant, Newborn
Infant, Premature*
Kangaroo-Mother Care Method*
Korea*
Macropodidae*
Mothers
Sepsis

Figure

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  Fig. 1. Comparisons of vital signs between before and after kangaroo mother care. Abbreviations: KMC, kangaroo mother care; BT, body temperature; PR, pulse rate; BP, blood pressure; Sat, saturation.

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  Fig. 2. Comparisons of psychological effects between before and after kangaroo mother care. Abbreviations: KMC, kangaroo mother care; STAI, state-trait anxiety Inventory by Spielberger; MAI, maternal attachment inventory by Muller.

Reference

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