Abstract
Objectives The Kangaroo method helps promote maternal breastfeeding and adequate growth of low birthweight preterm infants. The objective of this study was to analyze the association between weight-gain velocity during use of the Kangaroo method and maternal and infant variables. Methods A nested cross-sectional study in a cohort of newborn infants managed using the Kangaroo method was carried out at a reference center for the method in Brazil. Data on low birthweight and preterm infants managed using the Kangaroo Method (n = 78) and on their respective mothers (n = 70) was collected between January and July 2014. Maternal and infant variables were associated and correlated with weight-gain velocity (g/kg/day) at each phase of the method (p < 0.05). Results Mean weight-gain velocity increased from 0.12 ± 11.11 g/kg/day in the first phase to 13.47 ± 4.84 g/kg/day in the third phase (p < 0.001), and percentage of adequate weight increased at phase 3 (p < 0.001). Birthweight was inversely correlated with weight-gain velocity at phases 1 and 2 of the Kangaroo method. Birthweight of under 1500 g was associated with a lower likelihood of inadequate weight-gain velocity of the newborn at phase 1 (OR = 0.1; 95 % CI 0.01–0.78; p = 0.012). In phase 3, maternal age was directly correlated with weight-gain velocity. Conclusions Weight-gain velocity was associated with maternal (age) and infant (gestational age at birth, birthweight, weight for gestational age at birth, length of hospital stay and five-minute Apgar score) variables. Knowledge of the factors influencing weight-gain velocity and its behavior at each phase of the method can help guide conduct toward potentializing factors that promote adequate weight-gain.
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Acknowledgments
We would like to thank the Assis Chateaubriand Maternity-School for providing the venue to conduct the study. We also thank the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico—CNPq, Edital Universal 14/2013—processo 484077/2013-9 (National Council for Scientific and Technological Development—Universal Notice 14/2013—Process: 484077/2013-9) and Fundação Cearense de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico—FUNCAP (Foundation for the financial Support of Scientific and Technological Development from State of Ceará), for the financial support given to this project.
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Nobre, R.G., de Azevedo, D.V., de Almeida, P.C. et al. Weight-Gain Velocity in Newborn Infants Managed with the Kangaroo Method and Associated Variables. Matern Child Health J 21, 128–135 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-016-2101-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-016-2101-2