The effect of kangaroo care on neurodevelopmental outcomes in preterm infants
1Emory University Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Atlanta, Georgia.
Insights
Kangaroo care may improve neurodevelopment in preterm infants. More research is needed to understand its long-term effects on cognitive outcomes for these vulnerable infants.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal care
- Neuroscience
- Developmental psychology
Background:
- Preterm birth is linked to lasting deficits in executive function and cognition.
- Neonatal care advances increase survival rates for preterm infants, highlighting the need for interventions.
- Infant brains exhibit plasticity, making environmental influences critical for development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review existing literature on the effects of kangaroo care on cognitive outcomes in preterm infants.
- To assess the potential of kangaroo care as a strategy to mitigate neurodevelopmental issues in preterm infants.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of studies investigating kangaroo care and cognitive development in preterm infants.
- Analysis of short-term and long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes.
Main Results:
- Current evidence indicates short-term benefits of kangaroo care on neurodevelopment.
- Limited research exists on the long-term cognitive impact of kangaroo care in this population.
Conclusions:
- Kangaroo care shows promise for short-term neurodevelopmental improvements in preterm infants.
- Further research is essential to establish the long-term efficacy of kangaroo care for cognitive outcomes in preterm infants.
- Addressing neurological disparities in preterm infants warrants continued investigation into kangaroo care strategies.
Abstract:
Preterm birth is associated with long-term deficits in executive functioning and cognitive performance. As advances in neonatal care enable more preterm infants to survive, development of strategies to address high rates of neurodevelopmental disabilities and poor academic achievement in preterm infants are crucial. Evidence suggests that infants' brains are plastic in nature and, therefore, can be shaped by the environment. Kangaroo care has become popularized as a means of modifying the stress of the NICU environment. However, few studies have examined whether kangaroo care affects neurodevelopmental outcomes in preterm infants. This review examined available literature that investigated the effect of kangaroo care on cognition in preterm infants. Current evidence suggests that short-term benefits of kangaroo care are associated with improved neurodevelopment. However, few studies have examined the long-term impact of kangaroo care on cognitive outcomes in preterm infants. To address neurological disparities in children born preterm, research using kangaroo care as a strategy to improve neurodevelopment in preterm infants is warranted.
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