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Early Kangaroo Mother Care in Gambian Hospitalised Unstable Neonates

Not Applicable
Terminated
Conditions
Preterm Infant
Death
Infection, Bacterial
Kangaroo Mother Care
Hypothermia, Newborn
Interventions
Other: Early Kangaroo Mother Care
Other: Standard care
Registration Number
NCT03555981
Lead Sponsor
London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
Brief Summary

The mortality effect of kangaroo mother care in stable newborns \<2000g is well established but mortality effect in unstable newborns is not conclusively known. This pragmatic clinical trial aims to investigate the mortality and clinical effects of early continuous Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) compared to standard care in mild-moderately unstable neonates \<2000g in a resource limited hospital setting.

Detailed Description

This individually randomised controlled trial will compare 2 parallel groups of hospitalised mild-moderately unstable neonates \<2000g and aged \<24h at time of screening who receive either early continuous kangaroo mother care (KMC) (started at \<24h of admission) or standard care with continuous KMC at \>24h of admission and when stable. The intervention will be un-blinded to participants and researchers with blinding of outcomes where possible. If participants clinically deteriorate and meet "stopping criteria" they will be temporarily withdrawn from the intervention arm and re-start KMC when clinically stable, as per the control arm. Intention to treat analysis will be used. Duration of time spent in KMC will be documented and compared between arms. All other hospital management will be provided as per a Standardised Preterm Management Protocol, based on current standard care at the study site and compliance to this protocol will be monitored in both arms.

Underlying protective mechanisms for early KMC will also be explored, focusing on causal pathways such as thermal control, cardio-respiratory stability, infection prevention control and gastro-intestinal stability pathways.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
TERMINATED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
279
Inclusion Criteria
  • New admission to study site during study period
  • Admission weight <2000g
  • Age 1 - 24h at start of screening
  • Alive at enrolment
  • Availability of study bed
  • Written informed consent from parent or caregiver
  • Parent or caregiver available and willing to provide intervention, if necessary
Exclusion Criteria
  • Congenital malformation incompatible with life or needing immediate surgical correction
  • Severe jaundice needing immediate management
  • Seizures
  • Clinically stable as assessed over pre-defined period of cardio-respiratory monitoring
  • Severely unstable as assessed over pre-defined period of cardio-respiratory monitoring
  • Completed triplet admission
  • Mother and/or neonate enrolled in another research study at time of hospital admission

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Early KMCEarly Kangaroo Mother CareContinuous kangaroo mother care started within 24h of hospital admission, aiming for minimum 18h/day and until hospital discharge with encouragement of KMC at home
Standard careStandard careStandard care under radiant heater or incubator until clinical stability criteria are met then intermittent or continuous Kangaroo mother care started at \>24h of hospital admission until hospital discharge with encouragement of KMC at home
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
All-cause Mortality28 days

All neonatal deaths within 28 postnatal days

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Neonatal Intestinal Carriage of Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase-producing Klebsiella PneumoniaeAt day 28 of age

Number and proportion of participants with intestinal carriage of Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase-Klebsiella pneumoniae

Duration of Hospital AdmissionWithin 28 days of age or at latest follow-up

Mean length of admission (first admission only if re-admitted)

Number and Proportion of Participants With HypothermiaAt 24 hours after start of intervention/control procedures

Number and proportion of participants with hypothermia (Temperature \<36.5 degrees Celsius)

Exclusive BreastfeedingAt time of hospital discharge, within study period, on average 2 weeks of age

Number of babies who are exclusively breastfed (defined as only receiving breast milk with no infant formula supplementation)

Time to Death28 days of age

Time from start of intervention/control procedures to death

Suspected Infection Between 3d to 28d of AgeWithin 28 days of age

Number and proportion of participants with suspected infection between 3d to 28d of age, or age at latest follow up

Cardio-respiratory StabilityAt 24 hours after start of intervention/control procedures

The 'Stability of Cardio-Respiratory in Preterm' infants is a scale to quantify the cardio-respiratory stability of preterm infants. It is composed of three parameters: Heart rate; Respiratory rate and breathing pattern and oxygen saturation (including whether is in oxygen). Scores between 0 and 2 are allocated for each parameter, with minimum total score 0 and maximum total score 6. The highest score (6) represents a better outcome, with all parameters within normal range whilst not receiving oxygen.

Weight GainAt 28 days of age

Average daily weight gain compared to admission weight

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

MRC Unit The Gambia at LSHTM

🇬🇲

Fajara, Western Division, Gambia

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