Protocol for a randomised trial of early kangaroo mother care compared to standard care on survival of pre-stabilised preterm neonates in The Gambia (eKMC)

Beyond the embrace: a phenomenological qualitative exploration of the impact of kangaroo mother care (KMC) on couple relationships in China

OBJECTIVES

To explore the impact of kangaroo mother care (KMC), involving both mothers and fathers, on the dynamics of couple relationships.

DESIGN

Qualitative phenomenological study.

SETTING

A regional comprehensive centre for child healthcare.

PARTICIPANTS

11 couples engaged in KMC with their infants. We created a semistructured interview guide to conduct face-to-face interviews separately with both wives and husbands. The interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim, and analysed using Braun and Clarke's thematic analysis technique.

RESULTS

Analysis of participants' narratives revealed three pivotal themes: 'strengthening of couple relationship', 'role adaptation and redefinition' and 'conflicts and resolution'. These themes collectively illustrated the complex interplay between enhanced emotional intimacy, renegotiated parental roles and the navigation of conflicts within the context of neonatal caregiving.

CONCLUSIONS

KMC may have effects on couple relationships beyond its immediate benefits for the infant. It may potentially influence the emotional and relational dynamics between partners. Couples' experiences with KMC practices are multifaceted and complex. Through the intimate act of KMC, couples may experience a deepening of emotional bonds, redefinition of roles and identities, and encounter both challenges and opportunities for conflict resolution. Adopting a more holistic approach to neonatal care including attention to the couple's relationship and engaging in KMC is suggested.

Acquisition and carriage of genetically diverse multi-drug resistant gram-negative bacilli in hospitalised newborns in The Gambia

BACKGROUND

This detailed genomic study characterised multi-drug resistant-Gram negative bacilli (MDR-GNB) carriage in neonates < 2 kg and paired mothers at a low-resource African hospital.

METHODS

This cross-sectional cohort study was conducted at the neonatal referral unit in The Gambia with weekly neonatal skin and peri-anal sampling and paired maternal recto-vaginal swabs. Prospective bacteriological culture used MacConkey agar with species identification by API20E and API20NE. All GNB isolates underwent whole genome sequencing on Illumina Miseq platform. Multi-Locus Sequence Typing and SNP-distance analysis identified strain type and relatedness.

RESULTS

135 swabs from 34 neonates and 21 paired mothers, yielded 137 GNB isolates, of which 112 are high quality de novo assemblies. Neonatal MDR-GNB carriage prevalence is 41% (14/34) at admission with 85% (11/13) new acquisition by 7d. Multiple MDR and ESBL-GNB species are carried at different timepoints, most frequently K. pneumoniae and E. coli, with heterogeneous strain diversity and no evidence of clonality. 111 distinct antibiotic resistance genes are mostly beta lactamases (Bla-AMPH, Bla-PBP, CTX-M-15, Bla-TEM-105). 76% (16/21) and 62% (13/21) of mothers have recto-vaginal carriage of ≥1 MDR-GNB and ESBL-GNB respectively, mostly MDR-E. coli (76%, 16/21) and MDR-K. pneumoniae (24%, 5/21). Of 21 newborn-mother dyads, only one have genetically identical isolates (E. coli ST131 and K. pneumoniae ST3476).

CONCLUSIONS

Gambian hospitalised neonates exhibit high MDR and ESBL-GNB carriage prevalence with acquisition between birth and 7d with limited evidence supporting mother to neonate transmission. Genomic studies in similar settings are required to further understand transmission and inform targeted surveillance and infection prevention policies.

Barriers and enablers to kangaroo mother care prior to stability from perspectives of Gambian health workers: A qualitative study

Aims

Kangaroo mother care (KMC) is an evidence-based intervention recommended for stable newborns <2,000 g. Recent trials have investigated survival benefits of earlier initiation of KMC, including prior to stability, with WHO's iKMC trial showing 25% relative risk reduction for mortality of neonates 1-1.8 kg at tertiary Indian and African neonatal units (NNU). However, evidence is lacking about how to safely deliver this intervention to the most vulnerable neonates in resource limited settings (RLS). Our study aimed to understand barriers and enablers for early KMC prior to stability from perspectives of neonatal health care workers (HCW) in a high neonatal mortality RLS.

Methods

This qualitative study was conducted at Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital (EFSTH), the main neonatal referral unit in The Gambia. It was ancillary study to the eKMC clinical trial. Ten semi-structured interviews were conducted with all neonatal HCW cadres (4 nurses; 1 nurse attendant; 5 doctors; all Gambian). Study participants were purposively selected, and saturation was reached. Thematic analysis was conducted using Atun's conceptual framework for evaluation of new health interventions with methods to ensure data reliability and trustworthiness.

Results

HCW's perceptions of early KMC prior to stability included recognition of potential benefits as well as uncertainty about effectiveness and safety. Barriers included: Unavailability of mothers during early neonatal unit admission; safety concerns with concomitant intravenous fluids and impact on infection prevention control; insufficient beds, space, WASH facilities and staffing; and lack of privacy and respectful care. Enablers included: Education of HCW with knowledge transfer to KMC providers; paternal and community sensitization and peer-to-peer support.

Conclusions

Addressing health systems limitations for delivery of KMC prior to stability is foundational with linkage to comprehensive HCW and KMC provider education about effectiveness, safe delivery and monitoring. Further context specific research into safe and respectful implementation is required from varied settings and should include perceptions of all stakeholders, especially if there is a shift in global policy toward KMC for all small vulnerable newborns.

Impact of early kangaroo mother care versus standard care on survival of mild-moderately unstable neonates <2000 grams: A randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Understanding the effect of early kangaroo mother care on survival of mild-moderately unstable neonates <2000 g is a high-priority evidence gap for small and sick newborn care.

METHODS

This non-blinded pragmatic randomised clinical trial was conducted at the only teaching hospital in The Gambia. Eligibility criteria included weight <2000g and age 1-24 h with exclusion if stable or severely unstable. Neonates were randomly assigned to receive either standard care, including KMC once stable at >24 h after admission (control) versus KMC initiated <24 h after admission (intervention). Randomisation was stratified by weight with twins in the same arm. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality at 28 postnatal days, assessed by intention to treat analysis. Secondary outcomes included: time to death; hypothermia and stability at 24 h; breastfeeding at discharge; infections; weight gain at 28d and admission duration. The trial was prospectively registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03555981).

FINDINGS

Recruitment occurred from 23rd May 2018 to 19th March 2020. Among 1,107 neonates screened for participation 279 were randomly assigned, 139 (42% male [n = 59]) to standard care and 138 (43% male [n = 59]) to the intervention with two participants lost to follow up and no withdrawals. The proportion dying within 28d was 24% (34/139, control) vs. 21% (29/138, intervention) (risk ratio 0·84, 95% CI 0·55 - 1·29, p = 0·423). There were no between-arm differences for secondary outcomes or serious adverse events (28/139 (20%) for control and 30/139 (22%) for intervention, none related). One-third of intervention neonates reverted to standard care for clinical reasons.

INTERPRETATION

The trial had low power due to halving of baseline neonatal mortality, highlighting the importance of implementing existing small and sick newborn care interventions. Further mortality effect and safety data are needed from varying low and middle-income neonatal unit contexts before changing global guidelines.

Kangaroo mother care: EN-BIRTH multi-country validation study

BACKGROUND

Kangaroo mother care (KMC) reduces mortality among stable neonates ≤2000 g. Lack of data tracking coverage and quality of KMC in both surveys and routine information systems impedes scale-up. This paper evaluates KMC measurement as part of the Every Newborn Birth Indicators Research Tracking in Hospitals (EN-BIRTH) study.

METHODS

The EN-BIRTH observational mixed-methods study was conducted in five hospitals in Bangladesh, Nepal and Tanzania from 2017 to 2018. Clinical observers collected time-stamped data as gold standard for mother-baby pairs in KMC wards/corners. To assess accuracy, we compared routine register-recorded and women's exit survey-reported coverage to observed data, using different recommended denominator options (≤2000 g and ≤ 2499 g). We analysed gaps in quality of provision and experience of KMC. In the Tanzanian hospitals, we assessed daily skin-to-skin duration/dose and feeding frequency. Qualitative data were collected from health workers and data collectors regarding barriers and enablers to routine register design, filling and use.

RESULTS

Among 840 mother-baby pairs, compared to observed 100% coverage, both exit-survey reported (99.9%) and register-recorded coverage (92.9%) were highly valid measures with high sensitivity. KMC specific registers outperformed general registers. Enablers to register recording included perceptions of data usefulness, while barriers included duplication of data elements and overburdened health workers. Gaps in KMC quality were identified for position components including wearing a hat. In Temeke Tanzania, 10.6% of babies received daily KMC skin-to-skin duration/dose of ≥20 h and a further 75.3% received 12-19 h. Regular feeding ≥8 times/day was observed for 36.5% babies in Temeke Tanzania and 14.6% in Muhimbili Tanzania. Cup-feeding was the predominant assisted feeding method. Family support during admission was variable, grandmothers co-provided KMC more often in Bangladesh. No facility arrangements for other family members were reported by 45% of women at exit survey.

CONCLUSIONS

Routine hospital KMC register data have potential to track coverage from hospital KMC wards/corners. Women accurately reported KMC at exit survey and evaluation for population-based surveys could be considered. Measurement of content, quality and experience of KMC need consensus on definitions. Prioritising further KMC measurement research is important so that high quality data can be used to accelerate scale-up of high impact care for the most vulnerable.

"We All Join Hands": Perceptions of the Kangaroo Method Among Female Relatives of Newborns in The Gambia

Family support is essential for kangaroo mother care (KMC), but there is limited research regarding perceptions of female relatives, and none published from West African contexts. In-depth interviews were conducted from July to August 2017 with a purposive sample of 11 female relatives of preterm neonates admitted to The Gambia's referral hospital. Data were coded in NVivo 11, and thematic analysis was conducted applying an inductive framework. Female relatives were willing to support mothers by providing KMC and assisting with domestic chores and agricultural labor. Three themes were identified: (a) collective family responsibility for newborn care, with elder relatives being key decision makers, (b) balance between maintaining traditional practices and acceptance of KMC as a medical innovation, and (c) gendered expectations of women's responsibilities postnatally. Female relatives are influential stakeholders and could play important roles in KMC programs, encourage community ownership, and contribute to improved outcomes for vulnerable newborns.

Preterm care during the COVID-19 pandemic: A comparative risk analysis of neonatal deaths averted by kangaroo mother care versus mortality due to SARS-CoV-2 infection

BACKGROUND

COVID-19 is disrupting health services for mothers and newborns, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). Preterm newborns are particularly vulnerable. We undertook analyses of the benefits of kangaroo mother care (KMC) on survival among neonates weighing ≤2000 g compared with the risk of SARS-CoV-2 acquired from infected mothers/caregivers.

METHODS

We modelled two scenarios over 12 months. Scenario 1 compared the survival benefits of KMC with universal coverage (99%) and mortality risk due to COVID-19. Scenario 2 estimated incremental deaths from reduced coverage and complete disruption of KMC. Projections were based on the most recent data for 127 LMICs (~90% of global births), with results aggregated into five regions.

FINDINGS

Our worst-case scenario (100% transmission) could result in 1,950 neonatal deaths from COVID-19. Conversely, 125,680 neonatal lives could be saved with universal KMC coverage. Hence, the benefit of KMC is 65-fold higher than the mortality risk of COVID-19. If recent evidence of 10% transmission was applied, the ratio would be 630-fold. We estimated a 50% reduction in KMC coverage could result in 12,570 incremental deaths and full disruption could result in 25,140 incremental deaths, representing a 2·3-4·6% increase in neonatal mortality across the 127 countries.

INTERPRETATION

The survival benefit of KMC far outweighs the small risk of death due to COVID-19. Preterm newborns are at risk, especially in LMICs where the consequences of disruptions are substantial. Policymakers and healthcare professionals need to protect services and ensure clearer messaging to keep mothers and newborns together, even if the mother is SARS-CoV-2-positive.

FUNDING

Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development; Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; Elma Philanthropies; Wellcome Trust; and Joint Global Health Trials scheme of Department of Health and Social Care, Department for International Development, Medical Research Council, and Wellcome Trust.