KANGAROO MOTHER CARE IN THE CARE OF PRETERM NEWBORNS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the benefits of Kangaroo Mother Care and the challenges related to its implementation and adherence. This is a systematic literature review conducted using the PubMed and LILACS databases, including 16 studies after the application of the eligibility criteria. The findings demonstrated that Kangaroo Mother Care provides benefits for preterm newborns, including improved neuropsychomotor development, weight gain, and physiological stability, while also strengthening the parent–infant bond and reducing parental stress. However, challenges related to family adherence and the implementation of the strategy by healthcare professionals were identified. It is concluded that Kangaroo Mother Care is an effective and relevant intervention for neonatal care; however, its implementation remains limited by insufficient knowledge regarding its benefits and by the fact that some studies did not observe positive results across all evaluated outcomes, highlighting the need for further scientific evidence on the topic.