Effectiveness of Kangaroo Mother Care in enhancing survival and health outcomes among preterm neonates in a resource-limited tertiary care setting

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) in improving survival rates, weight gain, and reducing hospital stay duration among preterm neonates in a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan. Methods: A two-year retrospective study was conducted at Hayatabad Medical Complex Peshawar, Pakistan from August 2021 to July 2023. A total of 213 preterm neonates with birth weights between 1.5 to 2.5 kg were included. Out of these, 168 neonates received KMC, while 10 were transferred to a nursery, and 35 were discharged without KMC due to parental refusal. Data on neonatal demographics, maternal factors, duration of hospital stay, and weight gain were collected and analyzed using descriptive and comparative statistical tests. Results: Mean daily weight gain was 16.6±4.2 g, and 87.5% maintained a stable body temperature. Most KMC neonates (57.14%) were discharged within 4–6 days, with no in-hospital mortality. Follow-up showed survival rates of 98.68% at one month and 99.19% at three months among reachable neonates. Two neonates died within one month, one from pneumonia and the other from sepsis, while another neonate died later due to sudden unexpected infant death syndrome. Hypothermia (12.5%) and minor illnesses (2.4%) were rare, with no cases of apnea reported. Exclusive breastfeeding and satisfactory weight gain were achieved in all KMC neonates. Conclusion: KMC is an effective intervention for improving survival, weight gain, and reducing morbidity in preterm neonates. It offers a low-cost, resource-efficient alternative to conventional neonatal care and should be widely implemented in resource-limited settings to reduce neonatal mortality.