Abstract:
Objective
To study the effect of Kangaroo mother care (KMC) on the growth and development of preterm infants with birth weight less than 2 000 g and clinical efficacy during hospitalization.
Methods
A total of 136 preterm infants with birth weight less than 2 000 g from January 2016 to June 2017 in Yueyang Second People's Hospital were randomly divided into KMC group(68 cases) and control group(68 cases). The KMC group was given kangaroo mother care as early as possible, while the control group was given routine care until discharge. The growth and development condition and NBNA scores were recorded. The clinical efficacy of the two groups was evaluated.
Results
The weight and head circumference at discharge, average weight gain in hospital in KMC group were significantly higher than those in the control group(P<0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups in body length at discharge or the incidence of extrauterine growth retardation(P>0.05). The NBNA score in KMC group (35.37±0.96) was higher than that in control group (35.00±0.86). The incidence of apnea and bronchopulmonary dysplasia in KMC group was significantly lower than that in the control group(P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of patent ductus arteriosus, intracranial hemorrhage, feeding intolerance, gastrointestinal bleeding, necrotizing enterocolitis or nosocomial infection between the two groups (P>0.05). Compared with the control group, the KMC group had shorter duration of fasting and parenteral nutrition, earlier total enteral nutrition and faster rate of adding milk(P<0.05). Moreover, the duration of oxygen therapy, mechanical ventilation and hospitalization in the KMC group were significantly shorter than those in the control group(P<0.05).
ConclusionKangaroo mother care can promote the growth and neurobehavioral development of preterm infants, reduce the incidence of complications related to premature birth, and promote the implementation of the nutritional support. KMC is beneficial to respiratory stability and early discharge and has good clinical effect on preterm infants.

Key words: Low birth weight, Preterm infants, Kangaroo mother care