ABSTRACT
Pain is a complicated phenomenon that has been ignored in newborn in the past. Researchers have demonstrated that newborns feel pain completely, so they should be considered more sensitive to pain. Recent researches demonstrated that non-pharmacological interventions such as Kangaroo Care could be useful in decreasing pain in newborn. The present research was conducted to determine the effects of kangaroo care on the pain intensity of vaccination in healthy newborns. This study was a randomized case-control clinical trial. The study subjects were 60 healthy full-term newborns delivered at 22 Aban hospital, Lahijan. 60 term newborns were randomly assigned into two groups of trial and control. The trial group received 30 minutes skin to skin contact, where as the control group were wrapped in their blanket, beside their mother bed. In two groups behavioral changes of newborns were evaluated and observed 2 minutes before, during and 3 minutes after the intervention. All procedures were filmed. A Researcher assistant who was blind to the research aim, scored behavior changes by NIPS. Heart rate and oxygen saturation levels as displayed on the pulse monitor and duration of crying were recorded by stop watch. Data was analyzed using chisquare, Fisher's Exact Test, paired t-test and independent t-test. Mean pain intensity during intervention period was significantly lower in the trial than the control group [p<0.006]. Mean pain intensity in 3 minutes after intervention was significantly lower in the trial than the control group, [pc<0.021]. Also, mean duration of crying was significantly lower in the trial than the control group [p<0.001]. Kangaroo care method is a useful and cost-effective procedure. Therefore; it is recommended as a caregiving which reduces pain while doing painful procedures on newborns, who are helpless creatures