Date of Defense
4-19-2024
Date of Graduation
4-2024
Department
Biological Sciences
First Advisor
Sally Vliem
Second Advisor
Katie Clark
Abstract
The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) provides critical care for newborns, particularly those born prematurely and who face various health challenges. Kangaroo Care (KC), which involves skin –to- skin contact between neonates and their parents, is a valuable intervention within the NICU setting. This paper explores the benefits of implementing Kangaroo Care in the NICU and examines the impact on parental well-being. Kangaroo Care demonstrates many advantages for neonates, including improving weight, reducing stress levels and pain, and promoting exclusive breastfeeding. Studies also indicated that Kangaroo Care reduced parental stress levels by decreasing cortisol and increasing oxytocin levels. Regardless of all its benefits, obstacles exist due to limited long-term developmental data. Nevertheless, Kangaroo Care remains an essential intervention for enhancing neonatal health and parental well-being in the NICU. Literature sourced from Western Michigan University database, National Library of medicine and CINAHL informs this review.
Recommended Citation
Kasem, Ayah, "Kangaroo Care’s Role in Fostering Neonatal Health and Parental Well-being in the NICU" (2024). Honors Theses. 3860.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/honors_theses/3860
Access Setting
Honors Thesis-Restricted
Restricted to Campus until
12-27-2024