The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of kangaroo care (KC), implemented by mothers, on pain in preterm infants before, during and after an invasive procedure.

A total of 50 premature infants (25 in KC group, 25 in control group) were included in this comparative, randomized, controlled study. Gestational and postnatal ages of the infants were between 26-36 weeks and 0-28 days, respectively. Infants with congenital abnormalities or sepsis and those who needed mechanical ventilation or surgical intervention were not included in the study. None of the infants received narcotic analgesics. Behavioral and physiologic responses to pain were recorded and Premature Infant Pain Profile (PIPP) was used to evaluate the severity of pain. Collected data was evaluated using SPSS for Windows 11.5 program.

Premature Infant Pain Profile scores were significantly lower at each measurement during or soon after the invasive procedure in infants in the KC group compared to controls.

In conclusion, KC starting 30 minutes before and continuing 10 minutes after an invasive procedure was found to be effective in decreasing pain during and after the invasive procedure in premature infants. Keywords : kangaroo care, newborn, pain, premature infant pain profile, preterm