title: Long-term outcome of preterm infants discharged home on kangaroo care in a developing country.
abstract: Several hospital-based studies have shown the beneficial effect of kangaroo care on preterm infants. Long-term outcome was studied in 297 preterm infants born at Harare Hospital weighing 500-1800 g, discharged home on kangaroo care and followed up for 12 months. Of these, 79 (26.6%) died, 141 (47.5%) survived to complete follow-up and 77 (25.9%) were lost to follow-up. Of those who died, median birthweight was 1460 g, median age at hospital discharge 7 days, median weight at discharge 1400 g and median age at death 66 days. Of those who completed follow-up, median birthweight was 1575 g, median age at hospital discharge was 6 days and median weight at hospital discharge was 1500 g. Of those who were lost to follow-up, median age at loss to follow-up was 70 days, median birthweight was 1540 g, median age at hospital discharge was 5 days and median weight at hospital discharge was 1500 g. The hospital re-admission rate was 22.9% with 8.8% mortality. Maternal mortality and chronic morbidity rates were 4.7% and 7.4%, respectively. On comparing those who died with those who completed follow-up, mother's age <20 years, birthweight <1500 g and maternal mortality and chronic morbidity were significant risk factors for infant mortality. Age at discharge and weight at birth and on discharge were not significantly associated with infant mortality.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe. rosekamb@samara.co.zw
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Kambarami
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Chidede
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Pereira
mesh_terms: D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006701:Home Nursing; D006801:Humans; D007224:Infant Care / Q000379:methods*; D007226:Infant Mortality; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D008423:Maternal Age; D008428:Maternal Mortality; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D015030:Zimbabwe