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Meta-Analysis
. 2016 Jan;137(1):e20152238.
doi: 10.1542/peds.2015-2238. Epub 2015 Dec 23.

Kangaroo Mother Care and Neonatal Outcomes: A Meta-analysis

Ellen O Boundy  1 , Roya Dastjerdi  2 , Donna Spiegelman  3 , Wafaie W Fawzi  4 , Stacey A Missmer  5 , Ellice Lieberman  6 , Sandhya Kajeepeta  7 , Stephen Wall  8 , Grace J Chan  9
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Kangaroo Mother Care and Neonatal Outcomes: A Meta-analysis

Ellen O Boundy et al. Pediatrics. 2016 Jan.

Abstract

Context: Kangaroo mother care (KMC) is an intervention aimed at improving outcomes among preterm and low birth weight newborns.

Objective: Conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis estimating the association between KMC and neonatal outcomes.

Data sources: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, African Index Medicus (AIM), Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Information System (LILACS), Index Medicus for the Eastern Mediterranean Region (IMEMR), Index Medicus for the South-East Asian Region (IMSEAR), and Western Pacific Region Index Medicus (WPRIM).

Study selection: We included randomized trials and observational studies through April 2014 examining the relationship between KMC and neonatal outcomes among infants of any birth weight or gestational age. Studies with <10 participants, lack of a comparison group without KMC, and those not reporting a quantitative association were excluded.

Data extraction: Two reviewers extracted data on study design, risk of bias, KMC intervention, neonatal outcomes, relative risk (RR) or mean difference measures.

Results: 1035 studies were screened; 124 met inclusion criteria. Among LBW newborns, KMC compared to conventional care was associated with 36% lower mortality(RR 0.64; 95% [CI] 0.46, 0.89). KMC decreased risk of neonatal sepsis (RR 0.53, 95% CI 0.34, 0.83), hypothermia (RR 0.22; 95% CI 0.12, 0.41), hypoglycemia (RR 0.12; 95% CI 0.05, 0.32), and hospital readmission (RR 0.42; 95% CI 0.23, 0.76) and increased exclusive breastfeeding (RR 1.50; 95% CI 1.26, 1.78). Newborns receiving KMC had lower mean respiratory rate and pain measures, and higher oxygen saturation, temperature, and head circumference growth.

Limitations: Lack of data on KMC limited the ability to assess dose-response.

Conclusions: Interventions to scale up KMC implementation are warranted.

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Conflict of interest statement

POTENTIAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST: The authors have indicated they have no potential conflicts of interest to disclose.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Flow diagram for identification of included studies.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Forest plot for effect of KMC compared with conventional care on mortality at latest follow-up time, grouped by follow-up time. BW, birth weight.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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    1. United Nations Children’s Fund and World Health Organization Low Birthweight: Country, Regional and Global Estimates. New York, NY: UNICEF; 2004
    1. Charpak N, Ruiz JG, Zupan J, et al. Kangaroo Mother Care: 25 years after. Acta Paediatr. 2005;94(5):514–522 - PubMed

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