Relationship between KMC and neonatal outcomes

Introduction: One of the best and most effective ways to care and prevent adverse effects in premature infants is to actively engage mothers in caring for an infant. The present study aims at investigating the relationship between Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) and neonatal outcomes. Method: This descriptive study was 600 infants and mothers. This study used the convenience sampling method. All mothers were taught the importance of KMC referred to the ward on the first day. The data collection tool was a researcher-made self-made questionnaire including demographic information of neonate, mother, and neonatal outcomes. Finally, the data were given to the software SPSS16, mothers were divided for Presence into two groups (more than twice (330 people) and at most once into two (270 people)). Results: There was no difference between the demographic variables in the two groups. Concerning the neonatal outcomes such as the frequency of KMC, neonate weight gain, neonate hospitalization period, re-hospitalization, neonate’s need for oxygen therapy, sepsis, neonate’s oxygen dependency, and hypoglycemia decreased in group 1 significantly compared to group 2. There was no significant difference between the two groups of neonates regarding the incidence of IVH and jaundice neonatal. Conclusion: Encouraging mothers to engage in the process of KMC leads to potentially positive and actual effects on premature infants admitted to NICU.