A randomized, controlled trial of kangaroo mother care: Results of follow-up at 1 year of corrected age

Objective. To assess the effectiveness and safety of Kangaroo Mother Care ( KMC) for infants of low birth weight. Methods. An open, randomized, controlled trial of a Colombian social securi ty referral hospital was conducted. A total of 1084 consecutive infants who were born at less than or equal to 2000 g were followed, and 746 newborns were randomized when eligible for minimal care, with 382 to KMC and 364 to "traditional" care. Information on vital status was available for 693 infan ts (93%) at 12 months of corrected age. KMC consisted of skin-to-skin conta ct on the mother's chest 24 hours/day, nearly exclusive breastfeeding, and early discharge, with close ambulatory monitoring. Control infants remained in incubators until the usual discharge criteria were met. Both groups wer e followed at term and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months of corrected age. The main outcomes measured were morbidity, mortality, growth, development, breastfe eding, hospital stay, and sequelae. Results. Baseline variables were evenly distributed, except for weight at r ecruitment (KMC: 1678 g; control participants: 1713 g). The risk for death was lower among infants who were given KMC, although the difference was not significant (KMC: 11 [3.1%] of 339; control participants: 19 [5.5%] of 324 ; relative risk: 0.57; 95% confidence interval: 0.17-1.18). The growth inde x of head circumference was statistically significantly greater in the grou p given KMC, but the developmental indices of the 2 groups were similar. In fants who weighed less than or equal to 1500 g at birth and were given KMC spent less time in the hospital than those who were given standard care. Th e number of infections was similar in the 2 groups, but the severity was le ss among infants who received KMC. More of these infants were breastfed unt il 3 months of corrected age. Conclusion. These results support earlier findings of the beneficial effect s of KMC on mortality and growth. Use of this technique would humanize the practice of neonatology, promote breastfeeding, and shorten the neonatal ho spital stay without compromising survival, growth, or development.