A Cochrane review (abstract , review ) included 21 studies with a total of 3 042 low birthweight (LBW) infants. Kangaroo mother care (KMC) defined as skin-to-skin contact between a mother and her newborn, frequent and exclusive or nearly exclusive breastfeeding, and early discharge from hospital, was associated with reduced mortality, infection/sepsis, severe illness, hypothermia, and length of hospital stay (table ). Moreover, KMC was found to increase some measures of infant growth (weight gain: mean difference [MD] 4.1 g/d, 95% CI 2.3 to 5.9; 11 trials, n=1198 infants; length gain: MD 0.21 cm/week, 95% CI 0.03 to 0.38; 3 trials, n=377 and head circumference gain: MD 0.14 cm/week, 95% CI 0.06 to 0.22; 4 trials, n=495) and mother-infant attachment.
| Outcome | Relative effect (95% CI) | Assumed risk - Conventional neonatal care | Corresponding risk - Kangaroo mother care (95% CI) | No of participants (studies) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mortality at latest follow-up | RR 0.67 (0.48 to 0.95) | 30 / 1000 | 20 / 1000 (14 to 28) | 2293 (12) |
| Severe infection/sepsis at latest follow-up | RR 0.5 (0.36 to 0.69) | 162 / 1000 | 81 / 1000 (58 to 112) | 1463 (8) |
| Hypothermia at discharge or at 40 to 41 weeks’ postmenstrual age | RR 0.28 (0.16 to 0.49) | 333 / 1000 | 93 / 1000 (53 to 163) | 989 (9) |
| Any breastfeeding at discharge or at 40 to 41 weeks' postmenstrual age | RR 1.2 (1.07 to 1.34) | 743 / 1000 | 892 / 1000 (795 to 996) | 1696 (10) |
| Any breastfeeding at 1 to 3 months' follow-up | RR 1.17 (1.05 to 1.31) | 622 / 1000 | 728 / 1000 (653 to 815) | 1394 (9) |
Comment: The quality of evidence is downgraded by study quality (inadequate or unclear allocation concealment, blinding and intention-to-treat adherence).