Can cuddling save tiny babies? trial tests early kangaroo care
NCT ID NCT03555981
First seen May 09, 2026 · Last updated Jun 20, 2026 · Updated 8 times
Summary
This study looked at whether starting continuous skin-to-skin contact (kangaroo mother care) within 24 hours of birth helps unstable preterm babies under 2000g survive. It compared this to standard incubator care. The trial took place in The Gambia and enrolled 279 babies, but was stopped early.
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This is a summary of
the original study
.
Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
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Contacts and locations
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Locations
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MRC Unit The Gambia at LSHTM
Fajara, West Coast, The Gambia
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
Kangaroo Mother Care (continuous skin-to-skin contact)
What this could lead to
If successful, this could show that early skin-to-skin contact improves survival in unstable preterm babies in low-resource settings.
What could go wrong
The trial was terminated, so results are limited. It was a small study in one country, so findings may not apply elsewhere.
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.