Kangaroo care for preterm infant and family Flashcards

1
Q

What is kangaroo care

A

It is the practice of skin to skin contact between an infant and parent

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2
Q

What are the benefits of kangaroo care (big picture) (4)

A

Evidence says:

  • it reduces mortality at discharge
  • decreases severe illnesses (such as NEC) and infections (nosocomial)
  • improves maternal bonding, breast feeding and maternal satisfaction
  • improved growth
  • decrease LOS
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3
Q

Apart from skin to skin, what else is involved in kangaroo care to ensure safety

A
  • for temperature stability: baby has a diaper and cap on and is covered by clothing/blanket
  • positioning: remains in the upright prone position
  • monitoring: cardiorespiratory and temperature monitor in place
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4
Q

How long is each session of kangaroo care

A

1-3 hours

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5
Q

How do we know it is safe

A

There are no reported detrimental effects on physiological stability in neonates as young as 26 wks GA, including those ventilated.

Meta-analysis re safety of kangaroo care found:

  • increase in body temperature 0.22 celcius
  • no change in HR
  • statistically but not clinically significant change in saturation by 0.6%
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6
Q

Are safety parameters affected by prematurity

A

no

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7
Q

Who should you avoid or be cautious with re kangaroo care

5

A
  • less than 27 weeks GA
  • neonates that need high humidification
  • abdominal wall or neuro tubular defects taht should be kept sterile pre surgery
  • newly post-operative
  • hemodynamic instability (BP swings, bradycardia, apnea, desaturation with handling)

NB these are not hard and fast rules

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8
Q

What are the thoughts around the benefits of kangaroo care for the development of preterm infants

A

being born premature disrupts the smooth and integrated neurobehavioural development
→ disorganization of the nervous system: disturbances in physiological function, stress and behaviour.

During kangaroo: decreased arousal and more mature sleep organisation. They seem more normally alert and responsive and less irritable and fussy

Long term: maybe better neurodevelopmental outcomes in follow up

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9
Q

What is the evidence with kangaroo care and breast feeding

3

A

improved volumes of EBM
longer duration of breast feeding
more babies being exclusively breast fed

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10
Q

Why is there decreased incidence of nosocomial infections

A

because the neonate has an increased chance to be colonized with maternal flora rather than the flora of the nursery (which includes Abx-resistant bugs)

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11
Q

What do mothers say about kangaroo care

A

it gives them as sensation of being needed
it increases their confidence
it gives them a sense of their role

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12
Q

Does Kangaroo care have any impact on pain management

A

Not a ton of evidence, but some to suggest that the gentle stimulation of sensory systems may modulate the perception of pain

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