Comparison of kangaroo and traditional methods of removing preterm infants from incubators

Abstract

Objective: To compare the kangaroo and traditional methods of removing an infant from an incubator in terms of four physiologic parameters, mother's satisfaction, and mother's preference.

Design: Time-series design (quasi-experimental), with infant-mother dyads subjected to both methods.

Setting: Intermediate neonatal care unit in a tertiary hospital in Canada.

Participants: A convenience sample of 71 infant-mother dyads. INTERVENTION AND MEASURES: The intervention was use of the kangaroo or traditional method of maintaining body temperature of preterm infants. The dependent variables were physiologic parameters (skin temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation) measured five times with each method. Mother's satisfaction was measured at the end of each testing period and mother's preference at the end of the experiment.

Results: The kangaroo method produced less variation in oxygen saturation and longer duration of testing, and it was preferred by most of the mothers.

Conclusions: The kangaroo method is safe for the preterm infant and allows for early contact between parents and infants.