This article is more than 5 years old. Information may no longer be current.

‘Kangaroo care’ cuts mortality rate by one-third among low weight infants

Prolonged skin-to-skin contact in the first few days of life cut infant mortality rates by 36% among infants weighing less than 4.4 lbs at birth, according to recently published data.

“[Kangaroo mother care] is protective against a wide variety of adverse neonatal outcomes and has not shown evidence of harm. This safe, low-cost intervention has the potential to prevent many complications associated with preterm birth and may also provide benefits to full-term newborns. The consistency of these findings across study settings and infant populations provides support for widespread implementation of [kangaroo mother care] as standard of care for newborns,” Grace J. Chan, MD, PhD, Boston Children’s Hospital, and colleagues wrote.

Chan and colleagues conducted a systematic review of 124 studies to assess the correlation between kangaroo mother care and neonatal outcomes. The majority of studies defined kangaroo care as early, continuous and prolonged skin-to-skin contact, while some (n = 14) included exclusive breastfeeding in the definition, as well.

Results demonstrated that among infants with low birth weight (< 4.4 lbs), kangaroo care was associated with a 36% lower mortality risk, compared with low weight infants receiving conventional care (RR = 0.64; 95% CI, 0.46-0.89).

Kangaroo care decreased the risk for neonatal sepsis by 47%. Additionally, rates of hypothermia, hypoglycemia and hospital readmission declined among infants receiving kangaroo care, according to the researchers. Higher oxygen levels, lower mean respiratory rate and pain measures were all associated with kangaroo care. Moreover, exclusive breastfeeding increased by 50% among infants who received kangaroo care.

Chan and colleagues noted that kangaroo care is a low-cost intervention that could provide many benefits to babies of all weights, and may prevent complications associated with preterm birth. They encourage kangaroo care as part of the standard care for newborns.

“While [kangaroo care] or skin-to-skin care is particularly useful for low birth weight babies born where medical resources are limited, developed and developing countries are moving to ‘normalize’ [kangaroo care] or skin-to-skin as a beneficial practice for all newborns and mothers,” Chan said in a press release. – by Casey Hower

Disclosures: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.