The effect of kangaroo mother care to preterm infants on postpartum depression

Abstract

Background: Postpartum depression (PPD) is a postpartum psychiatric disorder triggered by hormonal changes and psychological adjustments to motherhood. Socioeconomic inequalities and pharmaceutical aversion prompted the investigation of skin-to-skin care (SSC) as an alternative therapy to PPD. This evidence-based dissertation explored the research question “Is skin-to-skin care (kangaroo mother care) to preterm infants effective in decreasing depressive symptoms in women with postpartum depression?” of which the PICO elements were P – women with PPD, I – SSC with their preterm infant, C – no SSC with their preterm infant, O – decrease in depressive symptoms. Method: Articles eligible for the study were full-texts published in English focusing on mothers with PPD performing SSC to their preterm infants. Abstracts and articles that had their control group (CG) perform SSC, full-term infants or other psychiatric postpartum disorders were excluded. No time limits were used due to little existing research. Six databases were searched for relevant articles: PubMed, BMJ Journals, Science Direct, HyDi, Scopus, and Google Scholar. The literature search resulted in eleven studies: one systematic review (SR) and meta-analysis (MA), two randomized controlled trials (RCTs), five quasi-RCTs, one longitudinal quasi-RCT, one cohort study, and one case study. To appraise the articles, AMSTAR 2, CASP tools, and JBI checklists were used. Results: The paucity of statistically significant evidence and inconsistency in key studies resulted in an indefinite answer to the PICO question. Some data supports conventional therapy however this dissertation suggests that SSC may be useful in lowering depressive symptoms and therefore does not dismiss its clinical relevance. Implications and Recommendations: This conclusion is contingent on the completion of additional high-quality research to corroborate findings. A need for education and awareness of PPD and its therapies was noted.