Evaluation of motor and cognitive development in low weight preterm infants submitted to the Kangaroo Method
Newborns, Child Development, Kangaroo Method
Background: Prematurity is the leading cause of infant mortality and low birth weight the main predictor of neonatal and infant mortality. Advances in neonatal care allowed a higher survival rate of this population, but at the cost of increased morbidity. In addition, insufficient development of the systems and organs, needed to support uterine life, increases the risk of changes observed during motor and cognitive development in the child's life. The Kangaroo Care Method has emerged as an inexpensive and easy-to-use alternative that aims at early family contact with the baby in the first hours of life. Objective: To monitor the motor and cognitive development of the premature newborn from the hospitalization in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit to the follow-up clinic. Methods: This is a cohort study, with preterm newborns weighing less than 2500g, born at the Maternidade Januário Cicco in the city of Natal / RN, which will be followed from zero to 12 months of age. The collection will include medical records and follow-up records. The motor assessment will start at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), covering the kangaroo ward, and will continue at the follow-up clinic until the child reaches 12 months of age. The data will be analyzed using statistical software Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 23.0. The descriptive analysis will be presented in mean and standard deviation (SD). The normality of the study variables will be verified through the Shapiro Wilk test. In the statistical analysis, the Anova test will be used in case of normal data, or Friedman, in case of non-normal data, depending on the normality for the quantitative variables. For the categorical variables, the chi-square test will be used. The significance level of 5% and 95% confidence interval will be adopted for all analyzes. Expected Results: We expect that this research contribute to the better monitoring and early diagnosis of developmental delays of these premature infants through non-invasive and affordable instruments.