Randomized controlled trial of kangaroo care: cardiorespiratory and thermal effects on healthy preterm infants.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the safety and effects on healthy preterm infants of three continuous hours of kangaroo care (KC) compared to standard NICU care by measuring cardiorespiratory and thermal responses.


METHODS
Randomized controlled trial-pretest-test-posttest control group design.


METHODS
Twenty-four healthy preterm infants (33-35 weeks gestation at birth) nearing discharge. Eleven of the infants received KC; 13 received standard NICU care.


METHODS
Heart rate, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, and abdominal skin temperature were manually recorded every minute. Apnea, bradycardia, periodic breathing, and regular breathing were captured continuously on a pneumocardiogram printout. Three consecutive interfeeding intervals (three hours each) on one day constituted the pretest, test, and posttest periods.


RESULTS
Mean cardiorespiratory and temperature outcomes remained within clinically acceptable ranges during KC. Apnea, bradycardia, and periodic breathing were absent during KC. Regular breathing increased for infants receiving KC compared to infants receiving standard NICU care.
Ludington-Hoe
Susan M
SM
Case Western Reserve University, USA.
Anderson
Gene Cranston
GC
Swinth
Joan Y
JY
Thompson
Carol
C
Hadeed
Anthony J
AJ
D001831:Body Temperature; D001919:Bradycardia / Q000517:prevention & control; D015400:Clinical Nursing Research; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D007224:Infant Care / Q000379:methods; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000451:nursing / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015931:Intensive Care, Neonatal / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D017283:Neonatal Nursing / Q000379:methods; D012119:Respiration; D013997:Time Factors; D014110:Touch; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States