Utilization pattern of kangaroo mother care after introduction in eight selected neonatal intensive care units in China

Kangaroo mother care (KMC) is an evidence-based and cost-effective intervention that could prevent severe complications for preterm babies, however it has not been widely adopted in China. In this study, we aim to investigate the feasibility and parental experience of adopting KMC in a Chinese context by studying the implementation of a KMC program in eight self-selected neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). A cross-sectional study of 135 preterm infants discharged from eight NICUs in April 2018. For infants information was collected on postnatal day and corrected gestational age (GA) at KMC initiation, frequency and duration of KMC provision and whether the infant was receiving respiratory support. A nurse-administered questionnaire on parents' knowledge and experience of KMC provision was administered to parents providing KMC. One hundred thirty-five preterm infants received KMC, 21.2% of all preterm infants discharged. 65.2% of those who received KMC were below 32 weeks GA, 60.7% had a birth weight below 1500 g, and 20.7% needed respiratory support at KMC initiation. Average KMC exposure was greater in infants born at GA