Effect of Kangaroo Mother Care on Retinopathy of Prematurity in Neonates Less Than 1,800 g or Below 34 Weeks of Gestation

KMC (Kangaroo Mother Care) is an established intervention to reduce mortality and morbidity in low birth weight (LBW) neonates. A multitude of risk factors and preventive strategies for ROP (retinopathy of prematurity) have been studied, however, the effect of KMC on ROP has not been reported. This study aims to study the effect of KMC on ROP in neonates with birth weights between 1,000 and 1,800 g. The babies who received effective KMC (>6 hours per 24 hours for three consecutive days) were analysed in the intervention group and those with ineffective KMC were analysed in the control group. Variables significant in univariate analysis were entered into backward regression models in multivariate analysis. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated. P values < .05 are taken as significant. Of 783 neonates enrolled, 66 (8.4%) developed ROP (any stage). The incidence of ROP requiring intervention was 1.02%. Effective KMC reduced the risk of ROP by 95%, RR 0.05 (0.02–0.12) and number needed to treat = 5. The proportion of neonates with ROP in zone 1 and stage 3 was more in the ineffective KMC (42.4% vs. 1.5%) group than in the effective KMC group (51.5% vs. 0%) ( P < .001). Ineffective KMC, gestation <30 weeks, small for gestation, obstetric complications, asphyxia, sepsis, higher initial PEEP and lack of breastfeeding were significant risk factors for developing ROP. KMC, an effective intervention to improve the mortality and morbidity in LBW neonates, was significantly associated with the reduction of any stage ROP and ROP needing intervention, potentially preventing a significant cause of childhood blindness.