Rajeshwari P, Sahana Devadas, Mallesh Kariyappa

A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY TO ASSESS KANGAROO MOTHER CARE AND BREAST FEEDING STATUS OF LOW BIRTH WEIGHT BABIES

Globally, about 22 million infants are born with birth weight of <2500g every year, with India having the third highest incidence of low birth weight infants in the world. Low birth weight babies are at high risk of hypothermia, infections, weight loss, respiratory distress which in turn increase the mortality of these babies. Kangaroo Mother Care is a method of care of preterm or low birth weight neonates by placing them in skin to skin contact with mother or caregiver in order to ensure their growth and development. Objectives: This is a cross sectional study to assess the Kangaroo Mother Care, breastfeeding status and early discharge from the hospital with which effectiveness of Kangaroo Mother Care in reducing the risk of mortality among preterm and low birth weight infants is evident. Methods: In this cross sectional study, 1102 low birth weight babies- mother dyad in the post natal wards were evaluated. All the mothers were educated for Kangaroo Mother care method by scheduled program. Time of initiation of Kangaroo mother care and duration of kangaroo mother care were noted. The breast feeding status of the mothers were assessed and recorded. The time of discharge from the hospital also noted. The relationship between kangaroo mother care, breast feeding status and time of discharge from the hospital were studied. Results: In this study, among 1102 babies, 336(30.5%) babies received short kangaroo mother care, 636(57.7%) babies received Extended Kangaroo Mother Care, 130(11.8%) babies received long Kangaroo Mother care. Majority [553(50%)] of the babies were exclusively breast fed, 24(2%) of babies were predominantly breastfed, and 17(2%) of babies were on mixed feeds. About 4(0.4%) babies who were given extended Kangaroo Mother care were discharged within 2 days of birth with majority of babies being discharged early with early initiation of Kangaroo mother care. Conclusion: Kangaroo mother care increases exclusive breastfeeding successfully. It is safe, effective and feasible method of care for low birth weight infants

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