Effectiveness of kangaroo care method for low birth weight newborns

The mortality of low birth weight infants has one of the leading role in neonatal mortality structure. The reason of our study was comparing the alternative method of kangaroo care to traditional care. We studied 100 patients with low birth weight more then 2000 gr, who did not need intensive care and could breastfeed. The 50 patients with kangaroo care composed I group, II control group included 50 patients with traditional care. Infants spent 24 hours per day in an upright position, in skin-to-skin contact, and attached to the mother's chest. Both groups were followed cluring 6 months. The comparing indicators were infectious episodes, hospital stay after eligibility, and growth and feeding patterns. The results showed, that weight gain in the I group was greater but the differences in growth indices was not significant. The frequency of infections were significantly higher in the II group as well as hospital stay was shorter in kangaroo care group then in control. So we can conclude that kangaroo care method is quite effective and safe for the care of low birth weight, clinically stable babies.