Kangaroo-Mother Care and Neonatal Skin Microbiome: An Update for Nursing Practice

Beyond acting as a physical barrier, neonatal skin represents a dynamic immunological interface in which the skin microbiome plays a pivotal role in host defense and immune maturation, critical determinants of neonatal survival. Kangaroo-mother care (KMC) is an evidence-based intervention widely adopted in nursing practice to improve neonatal outcomes. While its benefits for thermoregulation, breastfeeding, neurodevelopment, and infection reduction are well documented, the potential impact of KMC on the neonatal skin microbiome remains insufficiently explored. This scoping review aimed to map and synthesize the available evidence on the relationship between KMC and the development and modulation of the neonatal skin microbiome. The review was conducted according to JBI scoping review methodology and reported in line with PRISMA guidelines. Four studies met the inclusion criteria. Overall, KMC was associated with reduced colonization by potentially pathogenic and multidrug-resistant microorganisms, alongside favorable modulation of early skin microbial communities. Although heterogeneity in study design and limited sample sizes precluded quantitative synthesis, findings consistently suggested a protective microbiome-related effect without evidence of adverse outcomes. Further robust, longitudinal studies are needed to clarify underlying mechanisms and clinical implications.