Start, duration of kangaroo position in preterm newborns and neuropsychomotor development at six and twelve months of corrected age

Abstract

Objective

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the start and duration time of kangaroo position on motor and cognitive development at 6 and 12 months of gestationally corrected age in preterm infants born younger than 32 weeks of gestational age.

Method

This is an observational and longitudinal study carried out with 130 children at six months and 106 at twelve months of gestationally corrected age, born at a gestational age less than and equal to 32 weeks.

Results

The early start of kangaroo position (p = 0.039) was associated with better cognitive development at 6 months (p = 0.046) and 12 months of corrected gestational age (p = 0.004) and the children who remained in kangaroo position for longer periods of time per day (p = 0.036) showed better motor development at 12 months of gestational age.

Conclusion

Starting the kangaroo position early and performing it for longer periods of time per day are practices that favor the neurodevelopment of preterm children.