Longer duration of kangaroo care improves neurobehavioral performance and feeding in preterm infants: a randomized controlled trial

Aim To investigate the effect of kangaroo care (KC) and its duration on neurobehavioral performance, stress response, breastfeeding success, and vital signs in premature infants. Methods One hundred and twenty premature infants were randomized to receive either KC for 60 min daily, KC for 120 min daily or conventional care (controls) for at least 7 days. Salivary cortisol was measured before and after the first KC session and then after 7 days. Temperature, respiration rate, heart rate, and oxygen saturation were recorded, before and after KC. Neonates were evaluated by the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Network Neurobehavioral Scale (NNNS). Results Both KC groups demonstrated higher scores for attention, arousal, regulation, nonoptimal reflexes, and quality of movements and lower scores for handling, excitability, and lethargy, compared to controls ( p