Effects of Intermittent Kangaroo Mother Care on Low-Birth-Weight Neonates: A Retrospective Before-and-After Study

Abstract

Objective. To compare outcomes of low-birth-weight neonates delivered before and after implementation of intermittent kangaroo mother care (KMC) in terms of duration of hospital stay, mortality rate, and clinical outcome. Methods. This is a retrospective analytical study that included all neonates delivered in a tertiary government hospital with birth weight of less than 2000 grams before and after intermittent KMC implementation from January 2015 to December 2016. Chart review was done for demographics, mortality profile, and length of hospital stay. Chi-square test and Student's t-test were used to compare mortality rate and length of hospital stay, and odds ratio was used for mortality outcome. Results. A total of 677 low birth weight newborns were reviewed and of these, 276 (79.8%) neonates in group 1 (Pre-intermittent KMC implementation), and 263 (79.4%) neonates in group 2 (Post-intermittent KMC implementation) fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The duration of hospital stay of neonates enrolled in KMC was significantly shorter (p ≤ 0.05). In Groups 1 and 2, 93-94% of neonates were discharged improved with a 5-6% mortality of almost equal distribution. There was no significant difference in mortality between groups 1 and 2 (OR 1.19, 95% CI 0.59, 2.42). Conclusion. There was no significant difference in mortality rate and cause of death pre- and post-intermittent KMC implementation. However, the length of hospital stay among the LBW neonates discharged improved was significantly shortened.