KANGAROO MOTHER CARE: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW ON MATERNAL INFANT ATTACHMENT, MATERNAL STRESS AND GROWTH PARAMETERS AMONG THEIR LOW BIRTH WEIGHT NEONATES

Author Name: 1. Keziya Susan Babu, 2. Prem Prakash, 3. Aditya Pareek, 4. Nitesh Dhiman, 5. Dr. Meenu Paul, 6. Swati Jaiswal

Volume/Issue: 05/05

Country: India

DOI NO.: 08.2020-25662434 DOI Link: https://doi-ds.org/doilink/10.2024-52741434/UIJIR

Affiliation:

1. Principal, Grace Institutions, Bangalore, Karnataka, India.
2. Assistant Professor, JIET College of Nursing, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India.
3. Associate Professor, Seedling School of Nursing, JNU, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India.
4. Assistant Professor, College of Nursing, Autonomous State Medical College, Firozabad, Uttar Pradesh, India.
5. Professor, Anushre College of Nursing, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India.
6. Nursing Tutor, Naraina Nursing College, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India.

ABSTRACT

Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) is a widely practiced intervention aimed at promoting maternal-infant attachment, reducing maternal stress, and improving growth parameters in low birth weight (LBW) neonates. This systematic review synthesizes the existing evidence on the effects of KMC on these outcomes. A comprehensive search of major databases yielded 25 studies that met the inclusion criteria. The results suggest that KMC significantly improves maternal-infant attachment, reduces maternal stress, and enhances growth parameters in LBW neonates. The evidence supports the use of KMC as a valuable intervention for promoting maternal-infant attachment, reducing maternal stress, and improving growth outcomes in LBW neonates.Low birth weight and preterm birth are significant contributors to neonatal and infant mortality, with 15 million preterm babies born annually worldwide. In Spain, 30,000 premature babies are born each year, with 10% having a gestational age ≤ 32 weeks or birth weight ≤ 1500g. These infants are vulnerable to complications due to prematurity, and their care in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) involves various stressors, such as noise, light, and separation from mothers, affecting neurodevelopmental outcomes. Limited interactions between mothers and babies can provoke anxiety, affecting maternal bonding and exacerbating the stressful experience of having a preterm baby. Stress activates the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis, leading to cortisol secretion, an indicator of stress. Elevated cortisol levels can have side effects such as insulin resistance and behavioral disorders. Salivary cortisol measurement is a valuable tool for assessing stress regulation in preterm infants, despite limitations due to hyposalivation. Research suggests that skin-to-skin contact, such as the kangaroo method, can reduce stress in infants and lower cortisol levels, highlighting the importance of maternal contact in the first days and weeks of life. Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) is a highly effective intervention that promotes maternal-infant attachment, reducing stress and anxiety in both mothers and babies. By holding their infants close to their bare chest, mothers can foster a deep sense of connection and security, leading to improved attachment outcomes. Research has consistently shown that KMC increases maternal-infant interaction, breastfeeding rates, and maternal confidence, while also reducing maternal stress and anxiety. Furthermore, KMC has been shown to have a positive impact on infant development, including improved cognitive and emotional development, and reduced risk of behavioral problems. Overall, KMC is a simple yet powerful tool that can have a lasting impact on the health and well-being of both mothers and babies, making it an essential component of maternal-infant care.

Key words: Kangaroo Mother Care, Maternal-Infant Attachment, Maternal Stress, Growth Parameters, Low Birth Weight Neonates, Preterm Infants, Skin-to-Skin Contact, Breastfeeding, Neonatal Care, Maternal-Infant Bonding, Stress Reduction, Premature Birth, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)