Kangaroo care and the ventilated neonate

Whilst there is much evidence highlighting the benefits of kangaroo care for healthy preterm infants, its application in the care of mechanically ventilated neonates remains elusive. This paper reviews the literature underpinning this practice, examining the application and limitation of skin-to-skin contact amongst intubated low birthweight or very premature infants requiring mechanical ventilation and providing recommendations for practice.