The Effect of Kangaroo Care on Behavioral Responses to Pain of an Intramuscular Injection in Neonates

PURPOSE: This study aims to assess the efficacy of Kangaroo Care (KC) on behavioral responses of term neonates to the pain of an intramuscular injection. DESIGN AND METHODS: One hundred healthy term neonates were enrolled and randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. In the intervention group, the neonate was held in KC for 10 min before the injection and remained in KC for the duration of the procedure. The primary outcome measure was the cumulative Neonatal Infant Pain Scale (NIPS) score immediately after injection. RESULTS: The cumulative NIPS score immediately after injection in the intervention group was significantly lower (p<.001) than in the control group. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: KC given before injection seems to effectively decrease pain and should be considered for minor invasive procedures in neonates.