Heart rate variability responses of a preterm infant to kangaroo care.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the effect of kangaroo care on heart rate variability in a healthy preterm infant.


METHODS
Case study.


METHODS
Private room on a postpartum unit.


METHODS
A mother-preterm infant dyad.


METHODS
Kangaroo (skin-to-skin) care.


METHODS
Heart rate variability, a noninvasive measurement of the sympathetic and parasympathetic components of the autonomic nervous system's influence on heart rate.


RESULTS
Heart rate variability, especially the parasympathetic component, was high when the infant was fussy in the open crib, indicating increased autonomic nervous system activity. With kangaroo care, the infant fell asleep, and both sympathetic and parasympathetic components of heart rate variability decreased.


CONCLUSIONS
The wide fluctuations in the parasympathetic component of heart rate variability suggest immaturity of the sympathovagal response. Overall, kangaroo care produced changes in heart rate variability that illustrate decreasing stress.
McCain
Gail C
GC
University of Miami, School of Nursing and Health Studies, 5801 Red Road, Coral Gable, FL 33143, USA. gmccain@miami.edu
Ludington-Hoe
Susan M
SM
Swinth
Joan Y
JY
Hadeed
Anthony J
AJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000502:physiology; D002320:Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007224:Infant Care / Q000379:methods*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000523:psychology*; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; D008297:Male; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D017283:Neonatal Nursing / Q000379:methods; D010275:Parasympathetic Nervous System / Q000502:physiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D012127:Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000451:nursing* / Q000628:therapy; D018570:Risk Assessment; D016896:Treatment Outcome