Pediatria Clínica: Acesso Aberto
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Establishment of a Kangaroo Care Unit at the Peace Hospital in Ziguinchor/Senegal: Preliminary Study

Thiam Lamine, Diouf François Niokor, Seck Ndiogou, Niang Babacar, Coly Isabelle Jokébé, Fall Amadou Lamine, Ndiaye Ousmane

Objective: Introduction: the neonatal health of premature babies remains a major concern. Kangaroo Care is an effective method of taking care of premature babies and is a good alternative, to make up for the insufficient supply of conventional care. The objective of the study was to assess the implementation of a kangaroo care unit at the Ziguinchor Peace Hospital.

Materials and method: These were a descriptive study from May 1, 2018 to July 31, 2019, in the pediatrics department of the Ziguinchor Peace Hospital. Included were newborns weighing between 750 and 1810 grams on admission to the kangaroo care unit. Excluded were newborns whose length of stay in the kangaroo care unit was less than 72 hours. We have studied the socio-epidemiological data; obstetric and neonatal data and evolutionary data.

Results: During the study period, 81 newborns (49 boys and 32 girls) were collected, representing a prevalence of 25,9% of all deliveries. The average gestational age was 33 weeks of gestation (28-40,6) and the average admission weight was 1510 grams (750-1810). The main pathologies and neonatal complications, associated with prematurity before starting kangaroo care, were hypothermia in 39 cases (48,1%); respiratory distress in 34 cases (42%); hypoglycemia in 29 cases (35,8%); neonatal infection in 21 cases (25,9%). Kangaroo care was started on average 3 days after the date of hospitalization. The mean follow-up weight was 2025 grams (1510-2470). The mean temperature was stable at 36,6°C (35,9-39°C). Eleven (11) children had hypothermia. The average blood sugar was 0,99 g / l (0,81 to 1,10 g /l). No newborn had hypoglycemia during kangaroo care. The length of hospital stays varied between 5 and 29 days. We deplored 04 cases of death. The average weight gain was 11,1 g / kg / day.

Conclusion: The incidence of prematurity is high at the Ziguinchor Peace Hospital. Kangaroo care is an alternative to the insufficient supply of conventional care. We recommend training medical and paramedical staff and building a large room to formalize kangaroo care activities.