Role of Kangaroo Mother Care in the Management of Neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia in Both Term and Preterm Neonates: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia (NNH) is the most common clinical sign seen in neonatal practice. Kangaroo mother care (KMC), a new strategy has been tried for the management of hyperbilirubinemia. AIMS: To evaluate the role of KMC for reduction of bilirubin and duration of phototherapy in term and preterm neonates.
METHOD: The literature search was done for various randomized control trials by searching the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PubMed, EMBASE, ongoing clinical trials and abstracts of conferences.
RESULTS: This review included five RCTs that fulfilled inclusion criteria. Out of five trials, two trials reported a significant reduction in bilirubin and three trials reported a significant reduction in duration of phototherapy.
CONCLUSION: KMC may be a novel strategy in the management of NNH. However, due to small sample size and heterogeneity between the trials, the current evidence is not sufficient. Hence, large trials with adequate sample sizes are needed. © Copyright 2020 Lamaze International.