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Healing closeness to the mother kangaroo method uses preemies decades later
Every year around 15 million babies are born prematurely worldwide. Usually the preemies come in their first weeks of life then in an incubator. However, a study has shown that preterm infants, who have a lot of body contact with the mother, can benefit from it even decades later.
Intense body contact important for the baby
According to the Global Action Report on Preterm Birth 2012 of the World Health Organization (WHO), about 15 million babies are born prematurely every year worldwide. Preterm birth is when the baby is born before the 37th week of pregnancy, and thus has spent less than 260 days in the womb. The so-called premature babies weigh only between 500 and 2,500 grams and in many cases receive medical care during the first few weeks of their life in the incubator. They therefore have much less physical contact with the parents. However, a new study shows how important intensive physical contact is for the little ones.
A study has shown that premature babies, who have a lot of body contact with the mother, benefit from it decades later. In addition, the so-called kangaroo method protects against diseases. (Image: Tobilander / fotolia.com) Kangaroo method can avoid deaths
According to health experts, the number of premature births is increasing worldwide. For a premature birth a variety of reasons come into consideration. Common causes include multiple pregnancies, infections and chronic conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure.
In addition, for example, pregnancy complications, smoking or psychosocial factors such as chronic stress can be a trigger and in many cases no clear reason can be found.
More than one million premature babies around the world die during the first months of life. Experts, such as Save the Children, have been pointing out for years that the number of deaths could be significantly reduced if mothers were shown how to warm their children by wearing the so-called kangaroo method while wearing them on their chests can hold. But there are other good reasons for this method.
Children will benefit even after decades
That the direct skin contact is good for preemies has now been confirmed again in a scientific study. The long-term study on the kangaroo method has shown that premature babies benefit from intense physical contact with their parents decades later.
The study, carried out with the support of Canadian researchers in Bogota, Colombia's capital, has seen maternal premature babies worn, warmed and breast-fed by their mothers, the news agency dpa reports.
Family is trained in dealing with the little ones
In addition, the entire family was involved and trained in dealing with the tiny children. The control group consisted of babies who cared for assistants in their first months of life in a conventional manner, especially in the incubator.
18 to 20 years after birth, the adolescents were questioned and examined again. In total, data from 264 premature babies born between 1993 and 1996 weighing less than 1,800 grams were taken into account.
Less aggressive and impulsive
As the scientists report in the journal "Pediatrics", there were clear advantages for the kangaroo premature babies. According to the information they were on average less aggressive, impulsive and hyperactive as those who spent their first weeks of life mostly in the incubator.
In addition, authors around Nathalie Charpak of the Fundación Canguro in Bogota write that the death rate of kangaroo premature babies was noticeably lower than in the control group in the incubator.
In addition, her brain grew stronger, especially in the areas important to learning. Especially among the very tender babies, the intelligence quotient was slightly higher 20 years later.
The researchers also found that the children from the kangaroo program performed better in school and less often in class. On average, they earned more as young workers.
More loving mood in the family
The scientists also explain the positive consequences of the fact that the parents of the kangaroo group knew better about the needs of babies thanks to the accompanying training and continued to implement this knowledge.
This has had an effect especially for poorer families with less education: "The everyday activities at home have the greatest direct impact on a child in the long term."
The program is said to have had a positive impact on families as a whole. So their cohesion was better and the mood was more loving. In addition, it turned out that couples had remained rather together, even if the father had carried his premature offspring in the towel.
Protection against serious diseases
It has to be mentioned, however, that due to the comparatively small number of participants considered, the results should be treated with caution. But other studies also showed positive effects of the kangaroo method.
Canadian researchers at Université Laval were able to show that 15-year-olds who were born premature and who had more skin contact with their parents through the kangaroo method "had brain reactions or functions similar to those born at birth in certain areas," he said Professional Association of Pediatricians (BVKJ) years ago.
And according to a report from the World Health Organization (WHO), body contact can protect against serious illnesses, have a positive effect on breastfeeding, and lower mothers' stress levels.
Profound effects
"We firmly believe that this efficient, scientifically based method can be applied in all environments - from very limited to those with full access to healthcare facilities," explains Charpak.
Precisely because technology for premature babies care is now available in many regions of the world and there are therefore fewer serious health consequences, it is important to pay attention to the small effects.
"Small effects, such as minor cognitive deficits, poorer fine motor skills, decreased hearing or vision, and difficulty concentrating can go undetected, but have profound effects on family life."
Early intimate gathering
The "kangaroo" is also common in German preterm laboratories. "In Europe, the therapists focus primarily on the psychological benefits that come from the close relationship between parents and their child. The aim is to promote parent-child contact and relationship with the child. Because the kangaroo method allows an early intimate get-together, "reported the children's clinic Datteln on their website.
In addition to the babies, the parents benefit as well. They learn to deal with the fragile-looking little things, to overcome fear of contact and to build a relationship. In some cases, premature mothers secretly feel guilty about not being able to deliver their baby for nine months as hoped. (Ad)