ABSTRACT
Background: Hypothermia, infections and ineffective breastfeeding are some of the commonest cause of deaths among premature and low birth weight infants. Kangaroo mother care is a well-known intervention to address the issues related to preterm births, such as hypothermia, infection and prolonged hospitalisation.Methods: This study was carried out in a tertiary care centre in Bengaluru on all preterm neonates of birth weight less than 2500 grams with stable hemodynamic conditions over a period of 18 months. Gestational age assessed by the new Ballard's score, within 24 hours of life and anthropometry details of the neonate were recorded at 24 hours of life by the single observer. Kangaroo mother care was given for a minimum of one hour at a stretch per day and the effect on the preterm neonate in terms of hospital stay was assessed.Results: Kangaroo mother care has positive effects on the infants growth, neurodevelopmental outcome, reduction in the morbidities associated with preterm infants, and breastfeeding practices in mothers of preterm neonates.Conclusions: The study promotes awareness of KMC on preterm neonates considering all the benefits and positive effects of KMC on the infant as well as baby, and to the family and nation amongst the health care personnel as well as the society.
ABSTRACT
Background: Maternal pre-pregnancy BMI is well established to be a detrimental factor for prenatal development and neonatal anthropometric measures. Objectives of the study was to study the association between maternal pre-pregnancy Body Mass Index (BMI) and the anthropometry of the newborn.Methods: A hospital based cross-sectional, observational study was conducted that included 236 normal newborns and their mothers. A pre-designed questionnaire was used to collect relevant socio-demographic data and obstetric history. Details regarding maternal pre-pregnancy weight was collected from antenatal records at first antenatal visit, maternal height was measured and BMI was calculated. Neonatal anthropometric measurements including birth weight, recumbent length, head circumference, chest circumference and the mid arm circumference was measured.Results: In this study 49.6% of the women were in the age group of 21-25 years, 52.5% of them were multi-gravida and 56.4% had normal vaginal delivery. Among the newborns included in the study 25.8% had low birth weight. We saw a significant positive correlation between BMI and age, BMI and birth weight, BMI and chest circumference that is with increase in BMI there was significant increase in the age, birth weight and chest circumference and vice versa. There was no association between maternal BMI and mid-arm circumference or head circumference of the newborn.Conclusions: Study showed the association between maternal BMI and anthropometry of the newborn especially with respect to the BMI and birth weight, BMI and chest circumference. Thereby, establishing that interventions aimed at improving the nutritional status of the mother have a direct impact on the fetal growth outcomes.