Kangaroo father care: A pilot feasibility study of physiologic, biologic, and psychosocial measures to capture the effects of father–infant and mother–infant skin‐to‐skin contact in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

• DOI: 10.1002/dev.22100
• Publication Date: 2021-02-01T07:52:25Z
• Authors: Jamie L. Vogl; Emma C. Dunne; Claire Liu; Allison Bradley; Alina Rwei; Erin K. Lonergan; Bradley S. Hopkins; Sung Soo Kwak; Clarissa D. Simon; Casey M. Rand; John A. Rogers; Debra E. Weese‐Mayer; Craig F. Garfield
• Keywords: Kangaroo care

Abstract Robust literature supports the positive effects of kangaroo mother care (KMC) on infant physiologic stability and parent–infant bonding in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Comparatively little is known about father (KFC) NICU, KFC implementation has been limited. Our pilot feasibility study objective was to examine premature infants fathers as compared KMC. Parents preterm NICU independently completed a 90‐min Kangaroo (KC) session consecutive days. Infant heart rate variability (HRV) apnea/periodicity measures were (pre‐KC KC; KMC). Additionally, we assessed administering three psychosocial questionnaires mothers after discharge. Ten 20 KC sessions (33 4/7 –37 weeks post‐menstrual age). Results demonstrated similar responses between KMC KFC, including significant differences HRV ( p < .05) non‐KC periods. Eighty‐eight percentage administered completed, supporting utilization these instruments future research this population. If confirmed, preliminary results identify an opportunity objectively assess effects, development empirically based programs benefitting families.