EFFECT OF KANGAROO MOTHER CARE ON NEURODEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME OF BABIES WITH HIE

Intrapartum asphyxia and consequential Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) are a common cause of potentially avoidable neonatal brain injury and mortality.HIE occurs in 1.5 per 1000 live births and 2.3 – 26.2 per 1000 live births in developed and developing countries respectively(3,4). Approximately 50% of neonates with severe HIE die, and survivors develop serious and devastating complications including mental retardation, epilepsy, and cerebral palsy. Kangaroo mother care (KMC) is evidence‐based technology that centers on the mother as the primary provider of heat and stimulation resulting in an array of benefits for the newborn. But the data on its effect on neurodevelopmental outcome is very limited especially on babies born with HIE.This study was conducted to compare the effects of KMC and conventional method of care (CMC) on the neurodevelopment of the newborns born with HIE.