KMC vs conventional newborn care: key outcomes
| Outcome and subgroup | Studies | N | Pooled relative risk (95% CI) |
| Mortality during birth hospitalisation or by 28 days of age or 40 weeks’ PMA | 12 | 10 505 | 0.68 (0.53 to 0.87) |
| Health facilities | 11 | 2121 | 0.62 (0.41 to 0.94) |
| Community settings | 1 | 8384 | 0.71 (0.52 to 0.96) |
| Mortality 6 months follow-up | 4 | 8031 | 0.75 [(.62 to 0.92) |
| Health facilities | 3 | 1047 | 0.74 (0.44 to 1.23) |
| Community settings | 1 | 6984 | 0.76 (0.61 to 0.95) |
| Severe infection*/sepsis at latest follow-up | 9 | 9847 | 0.85 (0.79, 0.92) |
| Health facilities | 8 | 1463 | 0.50 (0.36, 0.69) |
| Community settings* | 1 | 8384 | 0.89 (0.82, 0.97) |
| Hypothermia by discharge or by 40–41 weeks’ PMA or 28 days follow-up | 11 | 1169 | 0.32 (0.19, 0.53) |
| Exclusive breastfeeding at discharge or at 28 days of age | 9 | 9983 | 1.48 (1.44, 1.52) |
| Health facilities | 8 | 1599 | 1.18 (1.10, 1.27) |
| Community settings | 1 | 8384 | 1.54 (1.49, 1.59) |
| Exclusive breastfeeding at 1 to 3 months' follow-up | 7 | 8139 | 1.39 (0.99, 1.97) |
| Weight gain at latest follow-up (g/d) | 11 | 1198 | MD 4.08 (2.30, 5.86) |
| Length gain at latest follow-up (cm/week) | 3 | 377 | MD 0.21 (0.03, 0.38) |
| Head circumference gain at latest follow-up (cm/week) | 5 | 652 | MD 0.18 (0.09, 0.27) |
| Cerebral palsy at 12 months' corrected age | 1 | 588 | 0.65 (0.21, 2.02) |
| Severe disability at 20 years | 1 | 264 | 0.34 (0.09, 1.24) |
| Neurodevelopmental outcomes at 12 months of age using BSID-III | |||
| Cognitive score | 1 | 516 | MD 0.21 (-1.84, 2.26) |
| Language score | 1 | 516 | MD −0.91 (-2.46, 0.64) |
| Motor score | 1 | 516 | MD −0.85 (-2.65, 0.95) |
*In community settings, the diagnosis of sepsis or severe infection was based on the WHO definition of possible serious bacterial infection.
BSID-III, Bayley Scales of Infant Development-III; MD, mean difference; PMA, postmenstrual age.