Comparison of Kangaroo Care and standard care: Behavioral organization, development, and temperament in healthy, low-birth-weight infants through 1 year

Abstract

Objective: To determine whether Kangaroo Care (KC) for healthy, low-birth-weight (LBW) infants can promote better behavioral and developmental outcomes. Study Design: In this historical control study, 26 infants in the KC group (GA: 34.3 ± 2.5 weeks, BW: 1833.9 ± 167.6 g) and 27 infants in the comparison group who received the standard medical - nursing care (34.6 ± 2.3 weeks, 1850.9 ± 156.7 g) were analyzed by the Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale (NBAS) at 40 weeks of postmenstrual age, the Bayley Scales of Infant Development and the Carey's Infant Temperament Questionnaire (ITQ) at 6 and 12 months corrected ages. Results: KC infants had significantly higher NBAS scores in Orientation, State Regulation, and Supplementary items; lower Intensity scores and higher Mood scores at 6 months on the ITQ; and higher Bayley Scales score at 12 months. Conclusion: KC effectively promoted neonatal behavioral organization and enhanced developmental outcome over the first year of life for LBW infants.