Clinical Outcomes among Preterm infants requiring Continuous Positive Airway Pressure with Kangaroo Mother Care Admitted at the NICU in a Tertiary Government Hospital

Introduction: Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC), a method of holding a baby with skin-to-skin contact is widely implemented in hospitals. This study determined the clinical outcomes among preterm infants requiring Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) with KMC admitted at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of Eastern Visayas Medical Center (EVMC). Methods: An observational prospective-cohort research design was utilized , including 60 preterm neonates admitted at NICU from February 1 to August 31, 2023. All data collected were analyzed descriptively, chi-square test used to determine significant associations. Results: Most preterm neonates had gestational age and Ballard score between 34-36 weeks (75.80%), predominantly males (57.60%). Mostly weighed between 0-1,499g (60%) delivered through Cesarean section (63.60%). Almost all stayed in CPAP during KMC for 1-5 days (96.7%) and not requiring higher ventilator support (98.30%). For complications, one has hypoglycemia (1.70%). Majority stayed at NICU for 1-7 days (98.39%) and discharged alive/improved (96.70%). Significant associations noted between delivery method and duration on CPAP use, birthweight and shift to higher ventilator support, discharge outcome and ventilator support shift, discharge outcome and complications, and length of NICU stay and discharge outcome (all p-values ≤ 0.001). Additionally, mortality associated with complications and ventilator support shift (p-value ≤ 0.001). Conclusions: Data revealed favorable clinical outcomes. C linical profile (manner of delivery and birthweight) and clinical outcomes (duration of CPAP use and shift to higher ventilator support) influences the manner of delivery and birthweight to the duration of CPAP use and the shift to higher ventilator support. Moreover, the clinical outcome (shifts to higher ventilator support) significantly influences discharge outcomes. Likewise, clinical outcomes (complications during NICU stay and the length of NICU stay) also plays a crucial role to discharge outcome. These findings contribute valuable insights into optimizing care practices.