The effect of kangaroo care on modulate chronic stress response in preterm infants and mothers

The relationship between NICU stress and neurodevelopmental outcomes of preterm infants: A multi-center prospective cohort study in China

PURPOSE

To examine the relationship between NICU stress exposure and the neurodevelopmental outcomes of preterm infants.

DESIGN AND METHODS

A multicenter, prospective cohort study was conducted between May 2021 and June 2022. Preterm infant participants (28-34 weeks gestational age) were recruited at birth from three NICUs of three tertiary hospitals by convenience sampling. The NICU stress includes acute NICU stress and chronic NICU stress which were measured over the total NICU hospitalization for each infant using the Neonatal Infant Stressor Scale (NISS). Neurodevelopmental outcomes of preterm infants were assessed at 3 months corrected age (CA) using the Ages and Stages Questionnaire, Third Edition (ASQ-3).

RESULTS

Of one hundred and thirty preterm infant participants, 108 preterm infants were included into analysis. Results showed that acute NICU stress exposure significantly predicted the neurodevelopmental abnormalities in communication function (RR: 1.001, 95%CI: 1.000-1.001, p = .011), while chronic NICU stress exposure was significantly associated with the problem-solving function (RR: 1.003, 95%CI: 1.001-1.005, p = .002) at 3 months CA. No significant associations were found between NICU stress exposure and other dimensions of neurodevelopmental outcomes, including gross motor, fine motor, and personal-social functions.

CONCLUSION

NICU stress exposure demonstrated a significant predicting relationship with abnormalities in communication and problem-solving functions of preterm infants at 3 months CA.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

During the NICU hospitalization, neonatal health caregivers should systematically monitor the NICU stress exposure to prevent neurodevelopmental problems in preterm infants.

A comparative study of the effects of Kangaroo care by mothers and maternal grandmothers on the vital signs of hospitalized preterm newborns: a randomized controlled clinical trial study

BACKGROUND

Kangaroo care (KC) is an effective technique to prevent injury in newborns due to prematurity and hospitalization. Mothers of preterm newborns experience their own set of physical and mental problems. Such circumstances call for another family member to take care of the newborn. This study compared the effect of KC by mothers and maternal grandmothers on the vital signs of preterm newborns.

METHODS

This parallel randomized controlled trial was done at the neonatal and NICU departments of the hospital in Kuhdasht in Iran. Eighty preterm neonates were selected through convenience sampling according to the eligibility criteria, then by stratified block randomization allocated to two groups. The control group received KC from the mother, and the intervention group received KC from the maternal grandmothers on the vital signs of preterm newborns. Vital signs were assessed 15 min before, during, and after the KC as the primary outcome. The data collection tools included a demographic questionnaire and a form to record the vital signs. Vital signs were measured by a pulse oximeter, an electronic thermometer, and observation. Data were analyzed by the chi-square test, the independent t-test, and the repeated measures ANOVA.

RESULTS

The vital signs of newborns in each group showed a significant difference before, during, and after receiving KC (P < 0.05). Nevertheless, the vital signs of the newborns did not differ significantly between the mother and the maternal grandmother KC groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

KC by maternal grandmother may stabilize the vital signs of preterm newborns as much as when this type of care is provided by the mother. We, therefore, recommend the provision of KC by the maternal grandmother, as a support and substitute for the mother whenever she is incapable of being at the hospital and to enable the mother to rest.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials IRCT20211225053516N1, March 31, 2022.

Pregnant in a Pandemic: Connecting Perceptions of Uplifts and Hassles to Mental Health

How women experience pregnancy as uplifting or a hassle is related to their mental and physical health and birth outcomes. Pregnancy during a pandemic introduces new hassles, but may offer benefits that could affect how women perceive their pregnancy. Surveying 118 ethnically and racially diverse pregnant women, we explore (1) women's traditional and pandemic-related pregnancy uplifts and hassles and (2) how these experiences of pregnancy relate to their feelings of loneliness, positivity, depression, and anxiety. Regressions show that women who experience more intense feelings of uplifts than hassles also feel more positive, less lonely, and have better mental health. Findings suggest that focusing on positive aspects of being pregnant, in general and during a pandemic, might be beneficial for pregnant women's mental health.

Benefits of Kangaroo Mother Care on the Physiological Stress Parameters of Preterm Infants and Mothers in Neonatal Intensive Care

It is well documented that the stress of separation of mother and baby can lead to short-term physiological instability as well as neurological, sociological or psychological consequences that may last a lifetime. Objective: The goal was to estimate the effect of kangaroo mother care (KMC) on physiological and biochemical parameters of preterm infant stress and maternal stress in neonatal intensive care. Methods: The investigation involved 112 preterm infants. Two groups were compared according to the mean duration of KMC during 12 days of study: the KMC group (mean duration more than 90 min daily) and the control group (less than 90 min). Results: Kangaroo mother care for more than 90 min on average per day in preterm infants is associated 12 days after the intervention with lower mean cortisol levels (p = 0.02), greater weight gain and less need for parenteral nutrition in preterm infants, as well as less postpartum depression (p = 0.02) and lower cortisol levels (p = 0.002) in the mothers of preterm infants. Conclusions: This study suggests that KMC can be used to improve the stress of preterm infants and their mothers, and that the greater weight gain observed in these preterm infants could contribute to a shorter average hospital stay and lower healthcare expenditure.