Virginia L Dodd1. 1. Connecticut Children's Medical Center, 131 Lake St., Manchester, CT 06040, USA. gdodd@snet.net
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To review research on kangaroo care with implications for growth and development in preterm infants. DATA SOURCES: Nursing, medical, and child development research literature was searched through PubMed through 2003 using the search terms kangaroo Care, skin-to-skin, growth/development, and premature infants. STUDY SELECTION: Randomized controlled trials, pretest-posttest designs, and other comparative studies of kangaroo care were reviewed. Reports exploring parent perspectives were examined for attachment and parent-infant interaction findings. Theory and research regarding growth in preterm infants were explored. DATA EXTRACTION: Research on topics of kangaroo care, skin-to-skin contact, preterm infant growth, preterm infant weight gain, and failure to thrive was evaluated. DATA SYNTHESIS: Research on kangaroo care reports physiologic safety for preterm infants and increased attachment for parents. Attachment promotes nurturing behaviors that support growth and development. Weight gain as a benefit of kangaroo care remains in question. CONCLUSIONS: Kangaroo care is safe for preterm infants and may have important benefits for growth and development. Suggestions are made for future research on effects of KC on preterm infants.
OBJECTIVE: To review research on kangaroo care with implications for growth and development in preterm infants. DATA SOURCES: Nursing, medical, and child development research literature was searched through PubMed through 2003 using the search terms kangaroo Care, skin-to-skin, growth/development, and premature infants. STUDY SELECTION: Randomized controlled trials, pretest-posttest designs, and other comparative studies of kangaroo care were reviewed. Reports exploring parent perspectives were examined for attachment and parent-infant interaction findings. Theory and research regarding growth in preterm infants were explored. DATA EXTRACTION: Research on topics of kangaroo care, skin-to-skin contact, preterm infant growth, preterm infantweight gain, and failure to thrive was evaluated. DATA SYNTHESIS: Research on kangaroo care reports physiologic safety for preterm infants and increased attachment for parents. Attachment promotes nurturing behaviors that support growth and development. Weight gain as a benefit of kangaroo care remains in question. CONCLUSIONS:Kangaroo care is safe for preterm infants and may have important benefits for growth and development. Suggestions are made for future research on effects of KC on preterm infants.
Authors: Dana Gravem; Kimberley D Lakes; Lorena Teran; Julia Rich; Dan Cooper; Ellen Olshansky Journal: J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs Date: 2009 Sep-Oct
Authors: Megan M Marvin; Fumiyuki C Gardner; Kristin M Sarsfield; R Alberto Travagli; Kim K Doheny Journal: Am J Perinatol Date: 2018-09-07 Impact factor: 1.862