Effect of Tactile and Kinesthetic Stimulation on Very Low Birth Weight Preterm Infants

Effect of Maternal Tactile and Kinesthetic Stimulation on Length of Hospital Stay of Very Low Birth Weight Infants

Two groups of preterm infants with birth weight equal to or less than 1500 grams will be studied. One group will receive the standard care and the other will receive standard care plus maternal special tactile stimulation. Gain of weight, length and head circumference, date of the beginning of enteral feedings, length of time to recover birth weight and age of hospital discharge will be recorded and compared between both groups.

Preterm infants birth weight equal or less than 1500 grams and gestational age equal or less than 32 weeks will be randomized in two groups: standard care that will receive the usual treatment applied to all infants admitted to our unit and a second groups that will receive standard care plus maternal tactile and kinesthetic stimuli that will be taught to the mothers. Randomization will be performed among those that accept to participate in the study. Growth (birth, length and head circumference), age of life to start receiving enteral feedings, length of hospital stay, time to recover birth weight will be recorded and compared between both groups.

Inclusion Criteria: Preterm newborns with birth weight equal to or less than 1500 grams and gestational age equal to or less than 32 weeks. Mother willing to participate in study. Exclusion Criteria: Major congenital malformations Congenital infectious diseases Mother not willing to participate in study