The effects of kangaroo care on body temperature, body weight and maternal satisfaction in premature infants.

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this quasi-experimental research was to study effects of kangaroo Care on skin temperature, rectal temperature, body weight, and maternal satisfaction. Samples were 30 premature infants with post-conceptional age between 33-35 weeks, appropriate for gestational age, post-birth for 1 week, and without complications. The infant was randomly assigned to experimental and cotrol roup. Infants in both groups were mateched according to post-comceptional age, body weight, and calory intake. Infants in experimental group received Kangaroo Care from their mothers twice a day, for a period of 45-60 minutes each time. Infants in control group received routine care from nurses in the unit. The results revealed that the mean skin temperature and rectal temperature of the experimental roup after Kangaroo Care wre significantly higher than before kangaroo Care. The mean body weight of infants in both gorups was not significantly different. The mean score of maternal satisfaction in experimental group was significantly higher than control group. Recommendation from the study is that Kangaroo Care will maintan body temperature and promote maternal-infant attachment.