Kangaroo mother care during phototherapy: effect on bilirubin profile

Intermittent phototherapy versus continuous phototherapy for neonatal jaundice

BACKGROUND

Phototherapy is a widely accepted, effective first-line therapy for neonatal jaundice. It is traditionally used continuously but intermittent phototherapy has been proposed as an equally effective alternative with practical advantages of improved maternal feeding and bonding. The effectiveness of intermittent phototherapy compared with continuous phototherapy is unknown.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the safety and effectiveness of intermittent phototherapy compared with continuous phototherapy.

SEARCH METHODS

Searches were conducted on 31 January 2022 in the following databases: CENTRAL via CRS Web, MEDLINE and Embase via Ovid. We also searched clinical trials databases and the reference lists of retrieved articles for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-randomised trials.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included RCTs, cluster-RCTs and quasi-RCTs comparing intermittent phototherapy with continuous phototherapy in jaundiced infants (both term and preterm) up to the age of 30 days. We compared intermittent phototherapy with continuous phototherapy by any method and at any dose and duration as defined by the authors.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Three review authors independently selected trials, assessed trial quality and extracted data from included studies. We performed fixed-effect analyses and expressed treatment effects as mean difference (MD), risk ratio (RR) and risk difference (RD) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Our primary outcomes of interest were rate of decline of serum bilirubin, and kernicterus. We used the GRADE approach to assess the certainty of evidence.

MAIN RESULTS

We included 12 RCTs (1600 infants) in the review. There is one ongoing study and four awaiting classification. There was little or no difference between intermittent phototherapy and continuous phototherapy with respect to rate of decline of bilirubin in jaundiced newborn infants (MD -0.09 micromol/L/hr, 95% CI -0.21 to 0.03; I² = 61%; 10 studies; 1225 infants; low-certainty evidence). One study involving 60 infants reported no incidence of bilirubin induced brain dysfunction (BIND). It is uncertain whether either intermittent or continuous phototherapy reduces BIND because the certainty of this evidence is very low. There was little or no difference in treatment failure (RD 0.03, 95% CI 0.08 to 0.15; RR 1.63, 95% CI 0.29 to 9.17; 1 study; 75 infants; very low-certainty evidence) or infant mortality (RD -0.01, 95% CI -0.03 to 0.01; RR 0.69, 95% CI 0.37 to 1.31 I² = 0%; 10 studies, 1470 infants; low-certainty evidence).  AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: The available evidence detected little or no difference between intermittent and continuous phototherapy with respect to rate of decline of bilirubin. Continuous phototherapy appears to be more effective in preterm infants, however, the risks of continuous phototherapy and the potential benefits of a slightly lower bilirubin level are unknown. Intermittent phototherapy is associated with a decrease in the total number of hours of phototherapy exposure. There are theoretical benefits to intermittent regimens but there are important safety outcomes that were inadequately addressed. Large, well designed, prospective trials are needed in both preterm and term infants before it can be concluded that intermittent and continuous phototherapy regimens are equally effective.

Role of Kangaroo Mother Care in the Management of Neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia in Both Term and Preterm Neonates: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia (NNH) is the most common clinical sign seen in neonatal practice. Kangaroo mother care (KMC), a new strategy has been tried for the management of hyperbilirubinemia.

AIMS

To evaluate the role of KMC for reduction of bilirubin and duration of phototherapy in term and preterm neonates.

METHOD

The literature search was done for various randomized control trials by searching the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PubMed, EMBASE, ongoing clinical trials and abstracts of conferences.

RESULTS

This review included five RCTs that fulfilled inclusion criteria. Out of five trials, two trials reported a significant reduction in bilirubin and three trials reported a significant reduction in duration of phototherapy.

CONCLUSION

KMC may be a novel strategy in the management of NNH. However, due to small sample size and heterogeneity between the trials, the current evidence is not sufficient. Hence, large trials with adequate sample sizes are needed.

Kangaroo Mother Care and Neonatal Outcomes: A Meta-analysis

CONTEXT

Kangaroo mother care (KMC) is an intervention aimed at improving outcomes among preterm and low birth weight newborns.

OBJECTIVE

Conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis estimating the association between KMC and neonatal outcomes.

DATA SOURCES

PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, African Index Medicus (AIM), Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Information System (LILACS), Index Medicus for the Eastern Mediterranean Region (IMEMR), Index Medicus for the South-East Asian Region (IMSEAR), and Western Pacific Region Index Medicus (WPRIM).

STUDY SELECTION

We included randomized trials and observational studies through April 2014 examining the relationship between KMC and neonatal outcomes among infants of any birth weight or gestational age. Studies with <10 participants, lack of a comparison group without KMC, and those not reporting a quantitative association were excluded.

DATA EXTRACTION

Two reviewers extracted data on study design, risk of bias, KMC intervention, neonatal outcomes, relative risk (RR) or mean difference measures.

RESULTS

1035 studies were screened; 124 met inclusion criteria. Among LBW newborns, KMC compared to conventional care was associated with 36% lower mortality(RR 0.64; 95% [CI] 0.46, 0.89). KMC decreased risk of neonatal sepsis (RR 0.53, 95% CI 0.34, 0.83), hypothermia (RR 0.22; 95% CI 0.12, 0.41), hypoglycemia (RR 0.12; 95% CI 0.05, 0.32), and hospital readmission (RR 0.42; 95% CI 0.23, 0.76) and increased exclusive breastfeeding (RR 1.50; 95% CI 1.26, 1.78). Newborns receiving KMC had lower mean respiratory rate and pain measures, and higher oxygen saturation, temperature, and head circumference growth.

LIMITATIONS

Lack of data on KMC limited the ability to assess dose-response.

CONCLUSIONS

Interventions to scale up KMC implementation are warranted.

The effect of kangaroo mother care on the duration of phototherapy of infants re-admitted for neonatal jaundice

OBJECTIVE

We investigated the effect of kangaroo mother care (KMC) on the duration of phototherapy of jaundiced neonates.

METHODS

Fifty Egyptian newborns hospitalized for jaundice were investigated through a prospective observational study to determine whether intermittent KMC would reduce the duration of phototherapy required.

RESULTS

The babies who received KMC recovered earlier from jaundice and needed a shorter duration of phototherapy than the control group (68.14 ± 24.32 hour versus 100.86 ± 42.26 hour, p = 0.004).

CONCLUSION

KMC may be an effective intervention to reduce the duration of phototherapy needed when jaundiced babies are hospitalized.

Método Mãe-Canguru

Estudo de natureza qualitativa, cujo objetivo é o de identificar o conhecimento que vem sendo produzido e veiculado a respeito do Método Mãe-Canguru (MMC). Foi realizada uma incursão pela literatura, a partir das bases de dados Medline e Lilacs, assim como busca direta aos principais periódicos de enfermagem, durante o período de 1995 a 2004. Foram selecionados 85 artigos, posteriormente catalogados e submetidos à categorização. Após análise dos artigos, foram extraídas quatro categorias sobre a temática. Os resultados levaram à conclusão de que apesar do MMC estar configurando-se como uma mudança paradigmática no cuidado ao recém-nascido, não há total correspondência com a produção teórica, levando a que a prática seja desenvolvida, muitas vezes, sem a devida sustentação teórica. Esta lacuna de conhecimentos dificulta, inclusive, uma adequada avaliação desta prática com relação ao recémnascido e sua família, mas principalmente no que diz respeito à aplicação do MMC junto à equipe neonatal.

Kangaroo care: national survey of practice, knowledge, barriers, and perceptions

PURPOSE

A national survey was conducted to assess practice, knowledge, barriers, and perceptions regarding Kangaroo Care (KC)--the holding of diaper-clad preterm infants skin-to-skin, chest-to-chest by parents.

DESIGN

A descriptive survey was conducted.

METHODS

Kangaroo Care Questionnaires (KCQs), developed for the study, were sent to nurse managers in all hospitals in the United States that were identified as providing neonatal intensive care services (N = 1,133), and were to be completed by the nurse most familiar with the practice of KC in that unit. A second KCQ was sent to non-respondents. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data.

RESULTS

A response rate of 59% (N = 537) was achieved. Over 82% of the respondents reported practicing KC in their neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). Nurses were knowledgeable about KC. Major barriers to practicing KC for certain types of infants were infant safety concerns, as well as reluctance by nurses, physicians, and families to initiate or participate in KC. Many NICUs do not permit KC for certain types of infants (e.g., those on vasopressors or high-frequency ventilation). Over 60% of respondents agreed that low gestational age or weight were not contraindications. Respondents from NICUs in which KC is practiced were more positive in their perceptions than respondents from NICUs that do not practice KC.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

The findings suggest that in order to overcome barriers to the practice of KC, nurses need educational offerings highlighting the knowledge and skills needed to provide KC safely and effectively. These educational offerings should also emphasize the value of KC to infants and parents. In addition, knowledgeable practitioners need to develop evidence-based policies and procedures that will lead to successful KC.