Comparative effect of tactile kinetic stimulation versus intermittent kangaroo mother care on body weight in Pre-term low birth weight infants
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Date
2025-02
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Abstract
Background: Low birth weight (LBW) and pre-term birth remains significant contributors to neonatal morbidity and mortality, particularly in resource-constrained settings, such as Bangladesh. Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) is a well-established intervention for improving growth and clinical stability in pre-term LBW infants. Tactile Kinetic Stimulation (TKS) is a lesser-known alternative involving systematic touch and motion. This study compared the effects of TKS and intermittent KMC on growth and clinical outcomes in pre-term LBW infants. Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted at Dhaka Shishu (Children) Hospital from January 2019 to December 2020. Forty pre-term LBW infants (gestational age 28–33 weeks, birth weight 1200–1800 g) were randomly assigned to Group A (TKS) or Group B (KMC). Group A received 15-min TKS sessions 4 times daily, while Group B received 2-h KMC sessions 4 times daily. Key outcomes included weight, length, occipito-frontal circumference (OFC), heart rate, temperature, time to achieve full feeding, and incidence of apnea. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 20.0. Results: Baseline characteristics were comparable between the groups. The mean time to achieve full feeding was 5.63 ± 2.63 days in Group A and 5.50 ± 2.50 days in Group B (P = 0.48). Both groups showed progressive growth in weight, length, and OFC, with no significant differences at any time point. On the 21st day, the mean weight was 2080.94 ± 152.87 g in Group A versus 2038.57 ± 68.43 g in Group B (P = 0.21). Heart rate and temperature remained stable, with no significant differences. The incidence of apnea was low and comparable between groups (11% vs. 9%; P = 1.00). Conclusion: Both TKS and KMC were equally effective in promoting growth and maintaining clinical stability in pre-term LBW infants. TKS offers a viable alternative to KMC, particularly in settings with barriers to traditional KMC implementation. These findings highlight the potential of integrating either intervention into neonatal care strategies in resource-limited settings.
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Keywords
Kangaroo mother care, low birth weight, neonatal growth, neonatal interventions, pre-term infants, resource-limited settings, tactile kinetic stimulation.
Citation
Belyat Alam Iftekhar, Hoque Md. Mahbubul, Dey Sanjoy Kumer, Akhter Nilufa, Hossain Mohammad Monir . Comparative effect of tactile kinetic stimulation versus intermittent kangaroo mother care on body weight in Pre-term low birth weight infants. Annals of International Medical and Dental Research. 2025 Feb; 11(1): 8-14