Dear Ms Bonner,

I am writing to you regarding your abstract "A Case Study of the Effect of Kangaroo Care on the Physiologic Parameters and Ventilator Settings in Very Low Birth-Weight Fraternal Twins." In your purpose, you state that "No studies to date have examined the benefits of KC in the mechanically ventilated very low birth-weight infant." Followed by the purpose of your study to "demonstrate improved physiological stability following KC." I would like to bring to your attention that in fact, a study evaluating the effects of KC on the physiological stability of intubated VLBW infants was conducted and those findings were published in 2001 in Advances in Neonatal Care. In fact, the study that I conducted was rigorously designed and implemented. I strongly recommend that you review your literature again. The research that needs to be cited in support of your work in this area is as follows: Smith SL. Physiologic stability of intubated VLBW infants during skin-to-skin care and incubator care. Adv Neonatal Care. 2001;1(1):28-40.

Sincerely,

Sandra L. Smith, PhD, APRN, NNP-BC

Associate Professor and Director Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Program University of Utah College of Nursing