Evaluation of Neuropsychomotor Development in Preterm Newborns Submitted to the Kangaroo Method: a Cohort Study
Child Development, Premature, Kangaroo-Mother Care Method
Background: The Ministry of Health has implemented and recommended the Kangaroo Method as a humanization strategy in Maternal and Child Care, due to the improvements brought to families and babies, such as weight gain, shortened hospital stay and improved family ties, but little is known about its benefits in the neuropsychomotor development of these newborns. Aim: To investigate the influence of the Kangaroo Method on neuropsychomotor development patterns in preterm infants. Methodology: This is a cohort study, to be performed at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Kangaroo Nursing and at the Januário Cicco Maternity School outpatient clinic, covering the three stages of the Kangaroo Method. The clinical and socioeconomic data of the baby will be collected. Child development will be assessed through Bayley Child Development Scale - III, Test of Infant Motor Performance and spontaneous movements will be assessed by the qualitative evaluation of generalized movements (Prechtl Method). Evaluations will be performed monthly during the first six months of the baby. Expected results: At the end of this study, it is expected to trace and identify the main characteristics of the neuropsychomotor development of premature infants undergoing the Kangaroo Method and what factors may have influenced this development.