Clinical Evidence

Background

Each year, 15 million infants are born prematurely, with nearly 1 million dying from related complications. Many survivors face lifelong disabilities, including learning, vision, and hearing challenges. However, 75% of these deaths could be prevented through cost-effective practices like Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC). By initiating KMC immediately after birth, up to 150,000 lives could be saved annually, reducing both the emotional and financial impact on families and healthcare systems globally.

Definition

According to the WHO, Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) is a life-saving approach involving early, continuous skin-to-skin contact between mother and newborn, exclusive breastfeeding, and the gradual transition of care from hospital to home with dedicated follow-up support. Holding a newborn close to the chest fosters a unique bond and provides essential health benefits, particularly for preterm or low-birth-weight (LBW) infants. Prioritizing family-centered care is essential, as mothers and fathers have long been treated as visitors rather than integral caregivers in neonatal units.

Benefits

Higher Survival Rates:

New evidence shows that initiating KMC immediately after birth can save up to 150,000 additional lives annually by preventing early complications in preterm infants.

Reduced Risk of Infections and Hypothermia:

Early KMC lowers the risk of severe infections and hypothermia by 60%, addressing two major causes of neonatal mortality.

Enhanced Growth and Development:

Skin-to-skin contact helps infants conserve energy, promoting growth, weight gain, and stabilized respiratory and cardiac rates.

Improved Brain Development:

Studies confirm that KMC positively influences brain development, supporting cognitive health for preterm and low-birth-weight infants.

Impact

Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) significantly enhances the bond between mother and child while promoting better neurodevelopmental outcomes in both the short and long term. Notably, previous research has demonstrated that initiating KMC can reduce mortality rates by 40% in hospitalized infants with birth weights below 2.0 kg, provided it begins once the infant is clinically stable.

This important new study offers compelling evidence that KMC can be effectively started shortly after birth, involving either the mother or a surrogate. The practice of skin-to-skin contact through KMC stands out as one of the most cost-effective and practical approaches to significantly improve prenatal care, ensuring healthier outcomes for both mothers and their infants.

Current Updates