Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) is primarily recommended for which babies:

RML PRE 2025

Child Health Nursing (Pediatrics)

Easy

Appeared in: RML PRE 2025

Explanation

Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) is a standardized care protocol specifically developed for preterm (born before 37 weeks) and Low Birth Weight (LBW, weight less than 2500g) infants.
The primary reason for this recommendation is that these infants have difficulty maintaining body temperature due to low body fat. Continuous skin-to-skin contact provides effective and natural thermal regulation.
KMC is proven to reduce neonatal mortality, decrease the risk of severe infections, improve breastfeeding rates, and enhance mother-infant bonding in this specific high-risk group.

Option B: While skin-to-skin contact is beneficial for all newborns, KMC as a specific, structured intervention is primarily indicated for the vulnerable preterm and LBW population, not as a standard recommendation for all healthy term babies.
Option C: KMC is contraindicated for critically ill or hemodynamically unstable infants. These babies require intensive medical care in an incubator or under a radiant warmer until they are physiologically stable.
Option D: This is the opposite of the indication. Babies weighing above 2.5 kg (2500g) are considered normal birth weight and typically have sufficient fat stores for thermoregulation, so they do not require KMC.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Indications for Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Nurses are central to implementing KMC. Their role includes identifying eligible infants, educating mothers and families on the correct technique, monitoring the baby's stability, and providing emotional support to the family.
KMC is a high-impact, low-cost intervention that is a cornerstone of newborn care in India and other resource-limited settings, significantly reducing neonatal mortality and morbidity.
What if? If a stable LBW infant requires supplemental oxygen via nasal cannula, KMC can and should still be implemented. The nurse's responsibility is to ensure the cannula remains secure and to continue monitoring oxygen saturation during KMC sessions.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core concept of the question, which is 'Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC)'.
Recall the primary definition and purpose of KMC from your nursing studies. It is a special care method, not a routine practice for all infants.
Think about the target population for this intervention. KMC was specifically designed to improve outcomes for vulnerable newborns.
Evaluate each option against this understanding. Option A (preterm and LBW) directly matches the primary indication for KMC.
Eliminate the other options: Term babies (Option B) don't require it for survival, critically ill babies (Option C) are a contraindication, and babies above 2.5 kg (Option D) are not low birth weight.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Parks TextBook of Preventive & Social Medicine part 2 — Subpart A (pp 1-232 of 464) p. 33-35

E6 Ghai Essential Pediatrics(pp 26-904 of 913) p. 147-149