PURPOSE: Kangaroo care (KC) has been associated with increased temperature stability, decreased apnea/bradycardia, and increased oxygen saturation. No studies to date have examined the benefits of KC in the mechanically ventilated very low birth-weight infant. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate improved physiological stability following KC.

METHODS: A set of fraternal female twins receiving mechanical ventilation (gestational age = 25 weeks; birth weight = 740 g) was assigned to KC or conventional treatment at 29 weeks' postconceptual age. Repeated measurements of heart rate, respiratory rate, axillary temperature, oxygen saturation, and ventilator settings were collected before the intervention, every 15 minutes during the 2 hours of holding, and 15 minutes postintervention. This protocol was repeated 4 times over a 2-week period, and all data were collected by the investigator.

MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES: Descriptive comparative analysis was done comparing means and standard deviations (M +/- SD) of temperatures for the 4 sessions of KC compared to conventional holding.

RESULTS: There was a higher mean overall temperature for KC compared to holding: 98.0 (0.33); 99.5 (0.69); 98.8 (0.56); and 98.3 (0.48). No statistical significance was noted for temperature; however, it was considered clinically significant. Neither statistical nor clinical significance was observed for heart rate and oxygen saturation. Ventilator settings in both groups trended downward.

CONCLUSIONS: Limitations include differences at baseline for fractionated inspiratory oxygen levels and a lack of generalizability. Implications for nursing practice based on data from 2 participants indicate that KC was not harmful in the very low-birth-weight infant, and suggest future randomized controlled trials in this population to sustain this finding.