Effect of Kangaroo Position on microcirculation of preterm newborns: a controlled randomized clinical trial

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of Kangaroo Position (KP) in microcirculation (MC) of the flexor muscles of preterm newborns.

Method: A controlled clinical trial was conducted in the city of Recife, Brazil, with 26 preterm children randomized in the Kangaroo Group (13) and in the Control Group (13). Assessments of blood flow, temperature, and tissue oxygen saturation (SO₂) were made at two different times and in the biceps brachii muscle and hamstrings muscle group: before the KP and after 24 h of KP. In the Control Group, the registrations were performed at the times corresponding to those of the Kangaroo Group. The mean values among the times were analyzed by paired t-test for repeated measures. The clinical trial was recorded in Clinical Trials (NCT03611088).

Results: In the Kangaroo Group there was an increase in tissue temperature and blood flow at the time evaluation periods (p < 0.05). In the control group, there was no statistical difference between the recording moments hamstring muscles group, but in the biceps brachii, there was a reduction in mean blood flow (p = 0.023).

Conclusion: In conclusion, the KP has effects on the microcirculation of the flexor muscles of preterm newborns.

Keywords: Growth and development; Kangaroo mother care method; Microcirculation; Microvessels; Preterm infants.