The Effect Of Kangaroo Care On Preterm Newborns Growth and Mother-Infant Relationship

In this study, the effects of KC (Kangaroo Care) administered to newborn babies in NICU (Newborn Intensive Care Unit) on newborns growth and mother-infant relationship were evaluated by using semi-experimental method including, control group and pretest-post-test methods. Research employs a total of 42 participants (premature newborn babies and their mothers), 18 in control group and 24 in experimental group, utilizing convensive sampling method. Research data were collected Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in Aydın Women Health, Obstetric and Child Hospital from December 2012 to March 2014. Data were collected by using family and baby introduction form, KC screening form (for home and hospital care), Maternal Attachment Scale and Newborn Perception Scale I-II. In the experimental group, mothers were given configured training about administrating KC and least one hour a day during the first month KC applications. Effectiveness of training was evaluated by using pretests and post-tests of newborns height, weight and head circumference measurements, Newborn Perception Scale and Maternal Attachment Scale scores in experimental and control groups. Obtaining data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, Chi-square, Mann-Whitney U test. P<0,05 was consideres significant in analyses made to compare groups. The mothers of infants included in the study were informed about the study and their informed consent was obtained. Approval was also obtained from the head physicians of the hospitals and the ethical committee. The following characteristics have been statistically similar for experimental and control groups: Age of mother, age of marriage, age of father, obstetric and pregnancy related characteristics, gestational age, gender of newborn, delivery method, multiple birth, problems at birth, intervention at birth, diagnosis of hospitalization, birth weight, head circumference at birth, Apgar scores for 1 and 5 minutes, and nutrition. The following characteristics have been statistically different for experimental and control groups: Monthly income and duration of hospitalization. Average of height, weight and head circumference of newborns in both groups before and after KC are found to statistically similar (p>0,05). Regarding maternal attachment of mothers before and after KC, values are found to be statistically similar (p>0,05). When compared in terms of negative and positive perception it was found that the difference between groups isn't statistically significant (p>0,05). Study results show that KC applications for premature newborns in NICU don't have an effect on babies' growth (average of height, weight and head circumference), maternal attachment and mothers' perception of their babies. The small number of examples, inability to effectively randomization and at home kangaroo care practices may have affected the results of the research limitations. Taking into consideration the limitations of this research, it is recommended that the planning of new research.