Effect of Kangaroo Mother Care on physical growth, breastfeeding and its acceptability

The aim of this study was to determine whether the implementation of Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) to low birth weight infants would improve physical growth, breastfeeding and its acceptability. A randomized controlled trial was performed over 16 months in which 110 neonates were randomized into a KMC group and a control group using a random number table.The KMC group was subjected to KMC for at least 6 h per day. The babies also received KMC after moving from the neonatal intensive care unit and at home. The control group received standard care (incubator or open care system). Weight, length and occipitofrontal circumference (OFC) were measured weekly for three months. The acceptability of KMC by mothers and nursing staff was assessed on day 7 after the start of KMC using a questionnaire incorporating the Likert scale. Breastfeeding rates were calculated based on history at end of three months. The mean gestational age was 35.48 +/- 1.20 weeks in the KMC group and 35.04 +/- 1.09 weeks in the control group (P > 0.05). KMC was initiated at a mean age of 1.72 +/- 0.45 days and the duration of KMC was 9.74 +/- 1.48 h/day. The mean birth weight was 1.69 +/- 0.11 kg in the KMC group compared to 1.69 +/- 0.12 kg in the control group (P > 0.05). The mean weight gain in gm/day in the KMC group was 21.92 +/- 1.44 compared to 18.61 +/- 1.28 in the control group (P < 0.05). The mean length gain in cm/week was 1.03 +/- 0.5 in the KMC group compared to 0.74 +/- 0.05 in the control group (P < 0.05). The mean OFC gain in cm/week was 0.59 +/- 0.04 in the KMC group compared to 0.47 +/- 0.03 in the control group (P < 0.05). The exclusive breast-feeding rate at end of three months was 88% in the KMC group compared to 72% in the control group (P < 0.05). KMC improved physical growth, breastfeeding rates and was well accepted by both mothers and nursing staff.