Kangaroo mother Care.
Kangaroo Care and Survival Rates
Kangaroo mother care is a method of care for preterm and low birth weight infants involving skin to skin contact between mother and newborn, early discharge from hospital and frequent breastfeeding (WHO, 2003). Despite the limited research into this method of mother care, if continued at home, can it be blended with breastfeeding to boost survival rates among infants?
In resource deprived areas, the Kangaroo is utilized often to reduce on mortality and morbidity among newborns (WHO, 2016). Other benefits are stabilized body heat, regulates child temperatures and improves on breathing of the new infant
The presentation depicts a 6 percent death rate amongst infants whose mothers continued using the kangaroo hold at home compared to a 23.7 percent death rate of newborns whose mothers didn’t continue feeding and caring for them using the kangaroo mother care. This represents higher survival rates amongst infants under this method of care and development.
The study discovers that 56 percent had no problems documented when their mothers continued using the Kangaroo method. This translates into more than half of the percentage of newborns surviving early childhood without encountering major medical problems like anemia and rickets which would impair their full development and growth.
Breast feeding after discharge only yields a 3.3 percent death rate during follow up period compared to a 16.3 rate of death realized on follow up when the newborns are fed on formula foods. Since breast feeding is a core component of the kangaroo mother care method, then they can be blended to yield tremendous infant survival rates.
According to the presentation, the Kangaroo hold is used effectively and safely as a method of new born care involving close contact of skin between mother and infant. Combined with frequent follow up, this method of infant care when continued at home and blended with intense breastfeeding continued after discharge of infant results into reduced death rates or improves the survival rates of infant survival.
References.
World Health Organization, Department of Reproductive Health and Research, 2003. Maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health: Kangaroo Mother Care; A practical guide, p 1-48.
World Health Organization, 2016, e- library of evidence for Nutrition Actions: Kangaroo mother care to reduce morbidity and mortality in low birth weight infants, no pagn
