Effect of Kangaroo Mother Care on cerebral blood flow in pre-term neonates using transcranial Doppler ultrasound

Background: Pre-term birth remains a leading cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. Pre-term neonates are particularly vulnerable to cerebral perfusion instability due to immature autoregulatory mechanisms, placing them at risk of neurodevelopmental impairment. Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) is a cost-effective intervention known to improve systemic stability and developmental outcomes. However, its effects on cerebral hemodynamics, especially in the anterior cerebral artery (ACA), remain insufficiently studied. Aims and Objectives: This study was designed to evaluate the effect of KMC on cerebral blood flow in pre-term neonates using transcranial Doppler sonography. Materials and Methods: This hospital-based analytical cross-sectional study was conducted at Dr. Sampurnanand Medical College, Jodhpur. Fifty pre-term neonates (28–36 weeks gestation) were enrolled after meeting strict inclusion and exclusion criteria. Baseline systemic vitals (heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature, blood pressure, oxygen saturation [SpO2]) and ACA hemodynamic indices peak systolic velocity (PSV), end-diastolic velocity, mean velocity (MV), resistive index (RI), and pulsatility index (PI), were recorded. Following 1-h KMC sessions on two consecutive days, all parameters were reassessed. Results: Systemic parameters remained stable except for significant improvements in SpO2 after KMC (Day 1: P=0.0008; Day 2: P<0.0001). Doppler analysis revealed no significant changes in PSV or MV, but RI and PI in the ACA decreased significantly after KMC on both days (Day 1: RI P=0.0001, PI P<0.0001; Day 2: RI P<0.0001, PI P<0.0001), indicating reduced cerebral vascular resistance and improved perfusion efficiency. Conclusion: KMC significantly improves SpO2 and reduces cerebral vascular resistance, suggesting enhanced cerebral perfusion in pre-term neonates. These findings reinforce KMC as a safe, low-cost intervention with potential neuroprotective benefits.