Kangaroo Mother Care improved depressive symptoms in 28% of women with postpartum depression

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a critical mental health condition impacting both maternal and infant well-being, often requiring effective, non-pharmacological interventions. Current standard-of-care often involves psychotherapy or medication, which may have barriers to access or adherence. Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC), characterized by skin-to-skin contact and exclusive breastfeeding, has demonstrated benefits for maternal and neonatal outcomes. This study specifically investigated KMC's potential to alleviate depressive symptoms in mothers already diagnosed with PPD, addressing a gap in supportive care strategies.

This descriptive study enrolled 128 women, aged 18-40 years, who delivered infants between 28-36 weeks of gestation and were diagnosed with postpartum depression (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale {EPDS} ≥13). Participants received Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) for 1 hour daily over one week. The EPDS was administered at baseline and repeated once after the intervention. Data analysis utilized SPSS version 20, employing paired t-test, Wilcoxon signed-rank test, chi-square test, and regression analyses, with p≤0.05 considered statistically significant.

The mean maternal age was 30.91±5.14 years, with a mean gestational age of 32.28±2.39 weeks. At baseline, the mean EPDS score was 13.56±8.59. Following the KMC intervention, a notable proportion of participants showed improvement in their depressive symptoms. Specifically, 36 (28%) women achieved an EPDS score of less than 13, indicating post-KMC observed improvement. A statistically significant association was identified between gestational age and this observed improvement.

A statistically significant association was observed between gestational age and post-KMC observed improvement (p=0.003), suggesting potential differential responses based on infant maturity.