Randomized, Controlled Trial of Kangaroo Mother Care in Increasing the Rate of Weight Gain Among Neonates

A Randomized, Controlled Trial of Kangaroo Mother Care in Increasing the Rate of Weight Gain Among Low Birth Weight Neonates Admitted in Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of the Philippine General Hospital

A randomized, controlled trial of Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) to determine the effectiveness in increasing the rate of weight gain among low birth weight neonates.

A randomized, controlled trial of Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) versus Conventional Care to determine the effectiveness of KMC in increasing the rate of weight gain among low birth weight neonates and if it will decrease sepsis rate and shorten hospital stay among the group.

Inclusion Criteria:

• birth weight <1500 grams and stable neonates (no dependency on oxygen and /or intravenous fluid, ability (at least partial) to feed) with stable vital signs for the past 24 hours (normal temperature (36.5-37.5 °C),
• normal heart rate (120-160 bpm), normal blood pressure per age
• no apnea
• no intravenous lines or with well-secured peripheral line
• no sepsis
• no emerging signs of sepsis
• on IV antibiotic therapy but clinically stable
• can require photo therapy but with stable and not rising total serum bilirubin (TSB) level or TSB is not in high risk zone.

Exclusion Criteria:

• neonates with chromosomal and life threatening congenital anomalies, who were severally ill
• whose mothers are critically ill and whose mothers were unable to comply with the follow up schedule.