The effect of kangaroo mother care in improvement of weight gain and vital signs stability in preterm and critically ill neonates.

Background: Preterm birth affects 15 million births annually. The effects of preterm births have been extensively studied and have been linked to intrauterine inflammation and the premature development of developing organ systems. Kangaroo care is an intervention that can alter stress and attachment in mothers of preterm infants and also promotes infant–mother connection, bonding and attachment, crucial for emotional and social development.. Aim of the study: To evaluate how kangaroo care can improve the vital signs and weight gain of critically ill and premature newborns. Patient and methods The neonatal intensive care unit of the pediatric intensive care unit of the children hospital, faculty of medicine, Zagazig University, was the site of this case control research on newborns getting kangaroo mother care. Two groups of eighty-eight patients were formed; Group 1 received kangaroo mother care, while Group 2 did not. Complete history taking, a general examination, laboratory testing, and recording of vital signs prior to and following kangaroo care were performed on both groups. Results: There was significant increase in temperature, decrease in respiratory rate to normal, decrease in heart rate to normal after one hour of kangaroo care in both terms and preterms and significant increase in weight gain among kangaroo care group compared with group who didn't receive kangaroo mother care. Conclusion The physiological stability, improvement of vital signs, and test results of premature and full-term children are all favorably and efficiently encouraged by kangaroo mother care.