Abstract
PURPOSE
This study, using a pre-post test design of non-equivalence comparative group, was done to determine effects of Kangaroo care (KC) on growth in premature infants and on maternal attachment (MA). METHODS: Fifty-three premature infants were assigned to the KC (24) or control group (CG) (29). Data were collected from July 2007 to June 2008. KC was given for 60 min at a time, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for 10 times. Weight, height, and head circumference (HC) of premature infants were checked before the program started. Following the initial measurement, the program was given and measurements were taken again at the end of the program. For measurement of attachment between mother and infant, data collection was done using structured self-reported questionnaires. RESULTS: KC group had a higher weight (t=2.565, p=.013), height (t=2.182, p=.034) and HC (t=2.468, p=.017) than the CG. Compared to the CG, the KC had significantly higher scores in MA (t=2.026, p=.048).
CONCLUSION
The results of this study suggest that the practice of KC in the nursing environment might actively promote attachment between mother and infant as well as acceleration of growth for premature infants as one of the most efficient nursing intervention.
Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by

- Early maternal touch predicts prosocial behaviour in adolescents: the mediation role of attachment
Kuo Zhang, Jinlong Su
International Journal of Adolescence and Youth.2025;[Epub] CrossRef - Effective stress intervention programs for parents of premature children: A systematic review
Melissa Liher Martínez‐Shaw, Yolanda Sánchez‐Sandoval
Stress and Health.2023; 39(2): 236. CrossRef - Effect on the practice of the kangaroo method on the formation and strengthening of the mother-baby bond: a systematic review
Carolina Caetano, Bianca Baptista Pereira, Tulio Konstantyner
Revista Brasileira de Saúde Materno Infantil.2022; 22(1): 11. CrossRef - A touch-scaffolded model of human prosociality
Jinlong Su, Yanjie Su
Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews.2018; 92: 453. CrossRef - Model Structure for Mother-Child Relationship for Korean Infants and Toddlers and Their Mothers
Sun-Jung Park, Kyung-Ah Kang, Shin-Jeong Kim
Child Health Nursing Research.2017; 23(3): 268. CrossRef - Knowledge and Beliefs about Kangaroo Care among Nursing Students
So-Young Park, Sang-Mi Koo, Sun-Mi Choi, Tae-Im Kim
Child Health Nursing Research.2016; 22(1): 61. CrossRef - The Effects of Kangaroo Care in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit on the Physiological Functions of Preterm Infants, Maternal–Infant Attachment, and Maternal Stress
Eun-Sook Cho, Shin-Jeong Kim, Myung Soon Kwon, Haeryun Cho, Eun Hye Kim, Eun Mi Jun, Sunhee Lee
Journal of Pediatric Nursing.2016; 31(4): 430. CrossRef - Effects for kangaroo care: systematic review & meta analysis
Junghee Lim, Gaeun Kim, Yeonghee Shin
Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperati.2016; 17(3): 599. CrossRef - Perception and Barriers to Kangaroo-Mother Care Among Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Nurses
Sun Kyung Jeong, Tae-Im Kim
Child Health Nursing Research.2016; 22(4): 299. CrossRef - Effects of Kangaroo Care on Physical Development and Adaptation of External Environment of Prematurity, and Maternal Role Confidence who Delivered Premature Infants
Ji-Won Lee, Yong-Sook Eo, Jung Hwa Han
Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperati.2016; 17(12): 128. CrossRef - Integrative Review of Nursing Intervention Studies on Mother-Infant Interactions.
Sun Jung Park, Shin Jeong Kim, Kyung Ah Kang
Child Health Nursing Research.2014; 20(2): 75. CrossRef - Relationship Between Brain Injury and Head Circumference Growth in Extremely Premature Infants
Young-mee Ahn, Sang-mi Lee
Journal of Korean Academy of Child Health Nursing.2011; 17(4): 281. CrossRef - The Effects of Kangaroo Care on Maternal Self-esteem and Premature Infants' Physiological Stability
Jihye Lee, Kyung-Sook Bang
Korean Journal of Women Health Nursing.2011; 17(5): 454. CrossRef - A meta-analysis of the effects of attachment enhancement program for children
Mira Chung, Jeong Yoon Kwon, Sukyoung Park, 홍소영
Korean Journal of Early Childhood Education.2011; 31(1): 25. CrossRef - Perception of Nurses and Physicians in Neonatal Intensive Care Units on Kangaroo Care
Kyung-Sook Bang
Journal of Korean Academy of Child Health Nursing.2011; 17(4): 230. CrossRef