Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) Follow-Up Study
PI: Dr. Nisha Fahey and Dr. Somashekhar Nimbalkar
Objective:
To understand the long-term benefits of KMC for babies born in NICU. This study also evaluated the impact of physician champions on Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) practices—specifically, skin-to-skin care and breastfeeding—in a rural Indian NICU.
Background:
Early KMC studies showed benefit, but long-term outcomes were less known.
Aim:
To evaluate growth, learning, and overall health in school-aged children who received KMC.
Impact:
Strengthened evidence for early skin-to-skin care. Findings highlight the champions’ role in improving quality and consistency of KMC, particularly skin-to-skin care. Training multi-disciplinary KMC champions may enhance neonatal care in resource-limited settings.
Outcomes:
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Follow-up conducted between 2021–2022
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Collected data on height, weight, and school performance
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Funded by Thrasher Research Fund