THE EFFECT OF THE KANGAROO METHOD ON CARDIORESPIRATORY PARAMETERS AND PAIN SYMPTOMATOLOGY IN PREMATURE NEONATES

Abstract

Introduction: The kangaroo method (KM) is a humanized care resource with several benefits in stressful and painful situations of premature infants in the neonatal ICU, but its immediate physiological effect in the absence of a painful or stressful procedure has not been established. Objective: To evaluate the cardiorespiratory parameters and pain scale in premature infants in the NICU while performing the kangaroo method. Method: Before-and-after observational study, with premature newborns admitted to the NICU of the HC, Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu/SP - UNESP, from July to November 2022. The effect of CM on heart rate, frequency respiratory rate, peripheral oxygen saturation and signs of pain on the NFCS scale in 3 moments: before, after 10 and 60 minutes of performing the method. Data were compared at the 3 evaluation moments using univariate analysis of variance for repeated measures, with significance set at 5%. Results: 32 preterm infants with a mean gestational age of 30 weeks and mean birth weight of 1480g were evaluated. On the day of the CM, 40% received non-invasive respiratory assistance. After 10 minutes of CM, there was a significant reduction in HR, RR and NFCS scores, as well as an increase in O2 saturation. These beneficial effects persisted at 60 minutes, except for HR. Of the 13 preterm infants who showed signs of pain before CM, only one persisted after 10 minutes of CM and none after 60 minutes. Conclusion: There were immediate benefits of the kangaroo method on cardiorespiratory parameters and pain in preterm infants.