483 - Investigating the Effect of Held Position during Kangaroo Care on Physiological Parameters of Premature Infants: A Randomised Controlled Trial

Poster Number: 483
Publication Number: 483.1600

Background: Integration of kangaroo mother care (KMC) in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is an integral part of neonatal care.
Studies have consistently demonstrated that KMC has multiple positive influences on physiological parameters of infants such as increased weight gain, length, and head circumference. It also has been associated with successful breastfeeding at discharge, improved neurodevelopmental outcomes, and modulation of pain in preterm infants receiving KMC. KMC helps to achieve cardiovascular, respiratory and temperature stability.

Objective: The objective of this study was to ascertain if there is an optimum position (30 versus 60 degrees) for carrying out KMC in the NICU at our tertiary neonatal unit.

Design/Methods: Single centre cross-over randomised controlled trial in a tertiary neonatal intensive care unit. Infants with a minimum corrected gestational age of 28 weeks and minimum 600 grams were included. Participants were randomly assigned to commence KMC at either a 30° or 60° angle. The primary outcome measure was the difference in median cerebral near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) values between the two angles. The secondary outcomes were median peripheral saturations and median heart rates. The results were analysed using the non-parametric Wilcoxon signed rank test comparing 30°and 60° angle positions.

Results: Twenty patients were included in the final analysis: median gestational age (GA) was 28+1 weeks (range: 23+2 to 32+6 weeks) and median birth weight was 0.985kg (range: 0.620kg to 2kg). There were no statistically significant differences (p = 0.810) between the median NIRS values at 30° (median rSO2 = 67.5, IQR = 58.3 – 73.8) and 60° (median rSO2 = 68, IQR = 60.5 – 76). There were no statistically significant difference in the median peripheral saturations (p = 1), or median heart rates (p = 0.662) between the two angles.

Conclusion(s): We found no difference in a number of physiological parameters and cerebral oxygenation values when KMC is performed at either 30 or 60 degrees recline. Neither position had a negative effect on infants physiological status. Parents can opt for either angle when KMC is performed.