Good short-term outcome of kangaroo mother care in low birth weight infants in a rural South African hospital

  • AN Rodriguez University of the Free State
  • M Nel University of the Free State
  • H Dippenaar University of the Free State
  • EAM Prinsloo University of the Free State
Keywords: Kangaroo mother care, pre-term infants, weight gain, jaundice

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the outcome of kangaroo mother care (KMC) in low birth weight infants at a community hospital. Methods: This descriptive study included 87 mothers and their low birth weight infants who were in a stable condition and eligible for KMC at Dr JS Moroka Hospital, Thaba Nchu. The infants were assessed four times: at birth, twice during hospitalisation, and a week after discharge. Infants received breast milk exclusively. Results: Regarding the mothers’ obstetric history (n=87), gravidity ranged from 1 to 7 (median 3), with a 43% incidence of miscarriage. The median birth weight of the infants (n=87) was 1.5 kg (first assessment), the discharge weight (third assessment) was 1.8 kg, and a week after discharge (fourth assessment) it was 2.2 kg. Initially the infants lost weight significantly from birth to the second assessment (95% CI for median decrease [-0.02; -0.01]), but significantly gained weight from the second to the third (95% CI for median decrease [0.27; 0.33]) and from the third to the fourth assessment (95% CI for median decrease [0.32; 0.45]). Approximately half (49%) of the infants had developed jaundice by the time of second assessment. These babies had a significantly lower birth weight [0.12;0.30]. Conclusion: Our findings confirm that infants with a low birth weight treated with KMC can have a good growth pattern, and exclusive breast milk is sufficient to guarantee such growth. Kangaroo mother care is a safe method for stable infants with a low birth weight in a community hospital.

Author Biographies

AN Rodriguez, University of the Free State
MBCHB,MFamMed Department Family Medicine
M Nel, University of the Free State
BA, BA Honours, M Med Sc Department Biostatistics
H Dippenaar, University of the Free State
M.B., Ch.B, M.Fam.Med Department Family Medicine
EAM Prinsloo, University of the Free State
M.B.,Ch.B.; M.Fam.Med. Department Family Medicine
Published
2007-06-01
Section
Original Research