Utilization pattern of kangaroo mother care after introduction in eight selected neonatal intensive care units in China

Abstract

Background: Kangaroo mother care (KMC) is an evidence-based and cost-effective intervention that could prevent severe complications for preterm babies, however it has not been widely adopted in China. In this study, we aim to investigate the feasibility and parental experience of adopting KMC in a Chinese context by studying the implementation of a KMC program in eight self-selected neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).Methods: A cross-sectional study of 135 preterm infants discharged from eight NICUs in April 2018. For infants information was collected on postnatal day and corrected gestational age (GA) at KMC initiation, frequency and duration of KMC provision and whether the infant was receiving respiratory support. A nurse-administered questionnaire on parents’ knowledge and experience of KMC provision was administered to parents providing KMC.Results: 135 preterm infants received KMC, 21.2% of all preterm infants discharged. 91.1% of those who received KMC were below 34 weeks GA, 91.1% had a birth weight below 2000g, and 20.7% needed respiratory support at KMC initiation. Average KMC exposure was greater in infants born at GA <28 weeks that babies born at greater GA. 94.8% of parents that participated in the parental survey indicated that KMC was positively accepted by their family members; 60.4% of the parents claimed that KMC could relieve anxiety, 57.3% claimed it prompted more interactions with medical staff and 69.8% suggested it increased parental confidence in care for their infants.Conclusions: After advocacy, training and promotion, intermittent KMC was initiated on more immature and high-risk infants, and well-accepted by parents. We suggest continuing to promote KMC education to parents and enhancing preterm infant health.

Outcome of Intermittent Kangaroo Mother Care in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

“…16 KMC seems to be well accepted and bears no adverse effects. 12,17 In this study, we found that duration of hospitalization was significantly less among neonates of KMC group versus controls…”

“…A recent study from China consisting of 8 NICU settings revealed that KMC was well embraced by the parents and resulted in anxiety reduction along with improved communication among parents and medical staff. 12 A local study in NICU settings revealed that intermittent KMC was effective in improving weight-gain among neonates in addition to conventional care (average weight gain in grams per kg per day as 10.22±1.65 grams in KMC groups versus 7.87±1.71 grams among controls) but one of the limitation of that study was that body weight among neonates of KMC group was significantly higher at the start of the study period in comparison to controls (2.56±0.8 kg in KMC group versus 2.13±0.70 kg in controls). 13 A randomized controlled trial from India by Suman RP et al evaluating KMC care among LBW babies revealed average weight gain of 23.99 grams among KMC group in comparison to 15.58 gram among controls.…”

Predictors of Knowledge on Kangaroo Mother Care Practice among Postnatal Mothers with Preterm Babies in Tanzania: A Hospital-Based Cross-Sectional Study

“…Furthermore, our study showed positive association between knowledge of KMC practice and the type of family the motheris living in.Those mothers from extended family were two times likely to have adequate knowledge on KMC practice compared to the mothers from nuclear family. Studies conducted elsewhere documented the importance of family support on KMC practice to the mother after home discharge [40,41], although did not indicate the knowledge differences between type of families. In the extended family, the inhabitants are beyond father, mother and children; where possibly, they might have learned from one another, should one among them ever experienced similar problem in the family, compared to nuclear family whereonlyhusband and wife live.…”