Zero Separation of Mothers and Newborns in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit and Physiological Stabilization and Sleep State of Newborns

A multi-country randomized controlled trial, conducted in five countries (India, Ghana, Tanzania, Nigeria, and Malawi,) coordinated by the World Health Organization (WHO) (iKMC study), showed a 25% reduction in mortality by immediate kangaroo mother care (KMC) in neonates with birthweight 1 to 1.8 kg. To implement the immediate KMC intervention, mother and baby needed to be together continuously, which led to the concept of "Mother–Newborn Care Unit (MNCU)." An MNCU is a facility where sick and small newborns are cared for with their mothers 24x7 with all facilities of level II newborn care and provision for postnatal care to mothers. Neuroscience of zero separation suggests that neonates in skin-to-skin contact have better physiological stabilization and sleep state. Therefore, this study was planned to assess the physiological parameters and sleep state among low birthweight babies following immediate KMC in the MNCU.

Stress Outcomes of "Zero Separation" in the Mother-Newborn Dyad in Neonatal Intensive Care Units 

Conventionally, small sick newborns are separated from their mothers for care in neonatal intensive care units globally. A recent trial showed that providing newborns with continuous kangaroo mother care commenced immediately after birth with zero separation from the mother reduced neonatal mortality by 25%. We hypothesised that psychometric and biochemical stress would be less among mother-newborn dyads roomed in together as compared to conventional care.

Zero Separation. Together for Better Care! Infant and Family-Centred Developmental Care in Times of COVID-19: A Global Survey of Parents' Experiences 

The COVID-19 pandemic has created exceptional challenges, especially for the care of small and sick newborns. While most restrictions were necessary to stem virus transmission, some have impacted the provision and quality of health care, including infant and family-centred developmental care (IFCDC). This research explores parents' experiences regarding the impact of the restrictions on key characteristics of IFCDC, including prenatal care, parental access, infant nutrition and breastfeeding, health communication, and mental health, during the first year of the pandemic.

Immediate Kangaroo Mother Care: Process and Costs for Implementation Readiness at Five Hospitals in Uganda 

Preterm birth complications result in more than one million child deaths annually, mostly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). A World Health Organization (WHO)-led trial in hospitals with intensive care reported reduced mortality at 28 days among newborns weighing 1000–1799g who received immediate kangaroo mother care (KMC) compared to those who received standard care, prompting calls for scale-up of immediate KMC. Evidence is needed regarding the process and costs of implementing immediate KMC, particularly in hospitals without intensive care.