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Randomized controlled trial of kangaroo care: cardiorespiratory and thermal effects on healthy preterm infants
Susan M Ludington-Hoe1, Gene Cranston Anderson, Joan Y Swinth
1Case Western Reserve University, USA.
Insights
Kangaroo care (KC) demonstrated positive effects on healthy preterm infants, promoting regular breathing and maintaining stable cardiorespiratory and thermal responses. This method proved safe and beneficial compared to standard NICU care.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal care
- Pediatric physiology
Background:
- Preterm infants require specialized care to ensure optimal development and physiological stability.
- Kangaroo care (KC), a method of skin-to-skin contact, is increasingly recognized for its benefits in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the safety and physiological effects of three hours of continuous kangaroo care (KC) in healthy preterm infants nearing discharge.
- To compare cardiorespiratory and thermal responses of infants receiving KC versus standard NICU care.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial with a pretest-test-posttest control group design was employed.
- Twenty-four healthy preterm infants (33-35 weeks gestation) were divided into two groups: KC (n=11) and standard NICU care (n=13).
- Cardiorespiratory parameters (heart rate, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, apnea, bradycardia, periodic breathing) and abdominal skin temperature were monitored over three consecutive 3-hour interfeeding intervals.
Main Results:
- Infants receiving KC exhibited stable cardiorespiratory and thermal outcomes within normal clinical ranges.
- Absence of apnea, bradycardia, and periodic breathing was observed during KC.
- A significant increase in regular breathing was noted in the KC group compared to the standard care group.
Conclusions:
- Three hours of continuous kangaroo care is safe and beneficial for healthy preterm infants nearing discharge.
- KC positively influences cardiorespiratory stability and breathing patterns in preterm neonates.
- Kangaroo care represents an effective alternative or adjunct to standard NICU care for promoting infant well-being.
Purpose:
To determine the safety and effects on healthy preterm infants of three continuous hours of kangaroo care (KC) compared to standard NICU care by measuring cardiorespiratory and thermal responses.
Design:
Randomized controlled trial-pretest-test-posttest control group design.
Sample:
Twenty-four healthy preterm infants (33-35 weeks gestation at birth) nearing discharge. Eleven of the infants received KC; 13 received standard NICU care.
Main Outcome Variables:
Heart rate, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, and abdominal skin temperature were manually recorded every minute. Apnea, bradycardia, periodic breathing, and regular breathing were captured continuously on a pneumocardiogram printout. Three consecutive interfeeding intervals (three hours each) on one day constituted the pretest, test, and posttest periods.
Results:
Mean cardiorespiratory and temperature outcomes remained within clinically acceptable ranges during KC. Apnea, bradycardia, and periodic breathing were absent during KC. Regular breathing increased for infants receiving KC compared to infants receiving standard NICU care.
