The influence of the Kangaroo Method on the time of hospitalization of the premature infant in hospital units: na integrative review

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Prematurity in Brazil corresponds to 12.4% of live births and is defined as birth less than 37 weeks of gestation. Due to the immaturity of organs and systems, the newborn can present several complications and, consequently, a longer hospital stay in hospital units, leading to greater morbidity and mortality in this population. The hospitalization period makes it difficult to establish a bond between newborns and their parents. For this reason, techniques such as the kangaroo method that aim to strengthen this bond are increasingly studied and applied in these units. The aim of the present study is to assess, through a literature review, whether the kangaroo method influences the length of hospital stay of premature newborns in hospital units. METHOD: This is an integrative literature review study with search for articles in the electronic databases Regional Portal of the Virtual Health Library (VHL), PubMed, Cochrane, Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) and EBSCO host. with the crossing of four descriptors in English and Portuguese indexed respectively in the Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) and Health Sciences Descriptors (DeCS). Studies published from 2008 to 2020 were included. RESULTS: 22 articles were included with a total of 7.564patients and seven parameters related to hospital discharge. The results showed an improvement in vital signs, pain, sleep, growth rates, hormonal regulation and neurobehavioral facilitation. CONCLUSION: The findings indicated that the kangaroo method influences the improvement of the clinical condition of the premature newborn, contributing to a better stabilization of the condition and consequent reduction in the period of hospitalization.