Kangaroo Mother Care versus Prone Position in Preterm Neonates: A Non Randomised Clinical Study

Abstract

Introduction: One of the major problems of preterm neonates is immature alimentation. This may lead to inadequate weight gain, higher chances of sepsis and increased mortality. Positioning during and after feeding affects nutritional tolerance. Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) is a method of skin-to-skin contact between mother and neonate, claimed to improve infant outcomes. Aim: To compare prone and Kangaroo Mother Care positioning of preterm neonates of 28 to 32 weeks gestational age during orogastric tube feeding. Materials and Methods: The study was a non-randomized crossover clinical study, carried out at Sick Newborn Care Unit and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Department of Paediatrics, R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata, India, from April 2020 to March 2021. The studied parameters included gastric residual volume (3 hours postprandial), vital signs like respiratory rate, heart rate, SpO2 level, body temperature, Capillary Blood Glucose (CBG), also comfort scores using a comfort scale. Total 110 preterm neonates of 28 to 32 weeks gestational age were sampled as per inclusion criteria and divided into two groups. Each group was fed by orogastric tube feeding in its respective position, in which they were kept for 3 hours. Vital signs, comfort scores and gastric residual volume were re-assessed. Groups were crossed over on the next day. Statistical analysis was done by t-test. Results: Of the total 110 neonates, KMC sample and prone position sample were compared after 3 hours. Heart rate was 147.5±4.3 and 151.08±9.1 beats per minute and respiratory rate 52.8±2.9 and 55.6±4.9 cycles per minute, which were lower in KMC than in prone position. There was better glycemic control {n=107 (97.27) and 80 (72.73) mg/dL}, higher comfort scores (11.2±1.1 and 10.1±2.0) and minimal to negligible gastric residuals (0.03±0.05 mL and 0.13±0.12 mL) in KMC position, when compared to prone position, respectively. Conclusion: Kangaroo mother care produced more stable physiological indices, and was more comfortable for preterm neonates and resulted in better feeding, absorption and metabolism.