Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) Follow-Up Study
PI USA: Dr. Nisha Fahey
PI India: Dr. Somashekhar Nimbalkar
Trainee: Binoy Shah, Amee Amin, Axil Patel, Dhvani Patel, Dr. Anusha Prabhakaran
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.
Outcomes:
- 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.
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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
Publications:
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Soni A, Amin A, Patel DV, et al. The presence of physician champions improved Kangaroo Mother Care in rural western India. Acta Paediatr. 2016;105:e390-5. doi:10.1111/apa.13445.
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Fahey N, Sadhwani N, Shethwala S, et al. Knowledge of Breastfeeding and Kangaroo Mother Care Practices among General Practitioners in Rural Western India. Food Nutr Bull. 2021;42(3):460–463. doi:10.1177/03795721211026520