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Neurodevelopment and Associated Factors in Preterm Infants Who Received Kangaroo Mother Care: A 12-Month Follow-Up
Gilles Ndjomo1,2, Sylvie Blairy2, Erero Njiengwe1,3
1Laboratory of Behavioral Sciences and Applied Psychology (LAPSA), Douala University, Douala, Cameroon.
Insights
Breast milk promotes better neurodevelopment in preterm infants receiving Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC). Maternal depression negatively impacts development, highlighting the need for treatment alongside KMC and breastfeeding support.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal care
- Developmental pediatrics
- Maternal-infant health
Background:
- Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) is vital for preterm infant well-being.
- Understanding neurodevelopmental predictors in KMC infants is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify factors predicting neurodevelopment up to 12 months corrected age in infants receiving KMC.
- To investigate the influence of maternal and infant factors on developmental outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Study included 91 preterm infants and 78 mothers.
- Data collected on maternal symptoms, KMC compliance, infant characteristics, and development.
- Griffith Mental Development Scales used for assessment.
Main Results:
- Breast milk intake was associated with significantly better outcomes across multiple developmental domains compared to formula or mixed feeding.
- Increased duration of daily skin-to-skin contact (SSC) showed a negative association with developmental outcomes.
- The negative impact of SSC duration was moderated by the severity of maternal depressive symptoms.
Conclusions:
- Promoting breastfeeding is essential for positive neurodevelopment in preterm infants undergoing KMC.
- Addressing and treating maternal depression is a key factor in supporting infant neurodevelopment within the KMC context.
Aim:
Document the predictive factors for neurodevelopment up to the corrected age of 12 months for infants who received Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC).
Methods:
In total, 91 preterm infants and their 78 mothers were included in the study. Maternal symptoms, maternal compliance with KMC practices and infant characteristics and development were recorded.
Results:
Compared with formula and mixed milk, breast milk was associated with better developmental outcomes in locomotor (ß = 19.38, t = 4.21, p < 0.001), personal-social (ß = 19.39, t = 5.43, p < 0.001), hearing and speech (ß = 14.1, t = 3.6, p < 0.001), eye and hand coordination (ß = 17.31, t = 4.53, p < 0.001) and performance (ß = 11.21, t = 2.77, p = 0.006) subscales of the Griffith Mental Development Scales. However, the daily skin-to-skin contact (SSC) duration was negatively related to the locomotor (ß = -5.17, t = -2.04, p = 0.046), personal-social (ß = -4.92, t = -2.85, p = 0.007), hearing and speech (ß = -4.88, t = -2.63, p = 0.012), eye and hand coordination (ß = -4.77, t = -2.43, p = 0.018), and performance (ß = -5.67, t = -2.92, p = 0.007) subscales. The negative effect of SSC duration was moderated by the severity of maternal depressive symptoms.
Conclusion:
Promoting breast milk and treating maternal depression could contribute to positive neurodevelopment in preterm infants.
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