J Korean Acad Child Health Nurs.  2008 Apr;14(2):138-145.

The Effect of Kangaroo Care on Weight and Stress Hormone(Cortisol) in Premature Infants

• Jang M

Abstract

PURPOSE: This study, using a pre-posttest design of non-equivalence comparative groups, was done to determine effects of KC (kangaroo care) on weight and SH (stress hormone) of premature infants. METHOD: Participants were 31 premature infants assigned to KC(14) or CG(control group)(17). Data were collected from June 2006 to February 2007. KC was given for 60 minutes at a time, Mon, Wed, and Fri for a 10 times. Body weight was measured at a fixed time daily and serum cortisol was examined as part of routine blood testing, frequent for premature infants.
RESULTS
The weight for infants in the KC group was higher than the control. The difference was significant between both the two groups, and the 2 measurement times(F=12.7, p=.001). SH(cortisol) in infantsof KC group decreased than CG, but there was no valid difference from the statistical viewpoint.
CONCLUSION
The result of the study suggest that KC contributes to weight increase in premature infants and also that KC is effective for SH reduction in spite of the lack of statistical validity. Therefore, our conclusion is that KC can be used as an independent nursing intervention for development and advance of premature infants.

Keyword

Kangaroo care; Premature infant; Weight; Cortisol

MeSH Terms

Benzeneacetamides
Body Weight
Hematologic Tests
Humans
Hydrocortisone
Infant
Infant, Newborn
Infant, Premature
Macropodidae
Piperidones
Child Health
Benzeneacetamides
Hydrocortisone
Piperidones