IMPACT OF SEASON AND DISCHARGE WEIGHT ON COMPLICATIONS AND GROWTH OF KANGAROO MOTHER CARE TREATED LOW-BIRTH-WEIGHT INFANTS IN MOZAMBIQUE

This study aimed to determine the impact of season and weight at disch arge on growth rate and complications in low birthweight infants treat ed with Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) in Maputo, Mozambique. The study po pulation included 246 infants of birthweight < 2000 g. Follow-up until 2400 g was obtained in 64%. There were no seasonal differences in wei ght gain and the risk of complications of infants treated with KMC in hospital. During the cold season after discharge, the risk of serious complications, including death, was higher (risk ratio 1.96; p = 0.02) and more readmissions occurred (risk ratio 2.77; p = 0.04). We postul ate that after discharge mothers are unable to comply with the kangaro o position at all hours of the day and that exposure to low ambient te mperatures may explain the more frequent occurrence of complications i n the cold season. The weight at discharge did not affect complication s or growth rate. We conclude that the current policy to discharge inf ants when having gained weight on 3 consecutive days, regardless of th e actual weight, or whether the weight at birth has been regained, is adequate. In the cold season particularly, more efforts may be needed to ensure compliance with kangaroo position after discharge and to edu cate mothers on ear ly signs of complications such as bronchopneumonia to encourage timely care seeking. With this method, low birthweight i nfants can grow adequately.