Extrasystoles: side effect of kangaroo care?

OBJECTIVE

To present an unpublished reason for an arrhythmic electrocardiogram (ECG) recording during kangaroo care in a preterm infant.

DESIGN

Case report.

PATIENT: Preterm infant.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN

RESULTS

A preterm infant exhibited cardiac arrhythmia on the ECG monitor during kangaroo care, leading to interruption of kangarooing. Arrhythmia disappeared after placing the baby back into the incubator. The most likely reasons for arrhythmia were excluded. However, arrhythmia reappeared upon continuation of kangaroo care. ECG monitoring revealed the reason for the monitoring error.

CONCLUSIONS

ECG monitoring during kangaroo care should cause error because of superimposed electric activity from the parent. Oxygen saturation represents a more reliable method of monitoring during kangaroo care.