The effect of kangaroo mother care or skin-to-skin contact on infant vital signs: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Background: It has been reported that kangaroo mother care/skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth facilitates the newborn's physiological and psychological adaptation to extrauterine life.

Objective: To examine the effect of kangaroo mother care/skin-to-skin contact on infants' body temperature, oxygen saturation, respiratory rate and heart rate.

Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methods: PubMed, ScienceDirect, SpringerLink, Wiley Online Library and Taylor & Francis Online were searched for the period 1 January 2015 to 30 November 2021 for studies published in the English language. The methodological quality of articles was assessed using the modified Jadad scale and the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. Effect size calculations were made using the fixed effects and random effects models.

Findings: This meta-analysis included 13 studies, with a total of 891 infants. Kangaroo mother care/skin-to-skin contact was effective for maintaining infants' body temperature (p = 0.000). Infants' heart rate decreased (p = 0.015) and oxygen saturation was higher (p = 0.040) following kangaroo mother care/skin-to-skin contact. Kangaroo mother care/skin-to-skin contact did not affect infants' respiratory rate (p = 0.896), but infants' respiratory rate decreased after kangaroo mother care/skin-to-skin contact (p = 0.047).

Key conclusions and implications for practice: Kangaroo mother care/skin-to-skin contact is effective for improving the vital signs of newborns. Kangaroo mother care/skin-to-skin contact is recommended for all neonates, and standardization of this approach would be beneficial.

Keywords: Kangaroo mother care; Meta-analysis; Skin-to-skin contact; Systematic review; Vital signs.