الفهرس 
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Abstract
Prematurity is the largest direct cause of neonatal mortality ,accounting for an estimated 35% of the 3.6 million neonatal deaths every year in developing countries Preterm birth is also leading cause of long term neurological disabilities in childern.
Under such circumstances in developing countries good care of preterm and LBW babies is difficult, As hypothermia and nosocomial infections are frequent, aggravating the poor outcomes due to prematurity. Frequently and often unnecessarily, incubators separate babies from their mothers, depriving them of the necessary contact.
Kangroo Mother Care (KMC) is special way of caring low birth weight babies. It fosters their health and well being by promoting effective thermal control, breastfeeding, infection prevention and bonding.
Two components of KMC are:
1-Skin to skin contact: early, continuous and prolonged contact between mother and her baby. The infant is placed on the mother chest between the breasts
2-Exclusive breast feeding: skin to skin contact promotes lactation and facilitates feeding interaction.
It is initiated in hospital and can be continued at home. Small babies can be discharged early. Mothers at home require adequate support and follow.
The study was randomized controlled trial on 40 mothers of preterm babies in NICU of SCUH. Mothers were included in two groups (KMC group and control group).Preparing KMC unit, Training of nurses and physicians and using of models, photos, videos and pictures to implement KMC program in NICU of SCUH.
Preterm babies in both groups were compared according to weight gain after 7 days, length of stay in NICU and exclusive breast feeding. The data was collected, revised and summarized, the results were tabulated with the final conclusion was;
The difference of each percentage of weight gain between KMC group and Control group was statistically significant. KMC infants gained more weight at day 7 of program implementation.
The difference between Length of stay in the KMC group and Control group was statistically significant. KMC in NICU would shorten the period of hospitalization, as 65%of preterm babies were discharged within 2 weeks. This would save around 40% of the spent cost in NICU.
Regarding the status of breast feeding, the difference between two groups was statistically significant. KMC would increase exclusive breast feeding successfully.