Early vs late-initiated KMC – critical outcomes
| Outcome | Studies | Number of participants | Pooled relative risk (95% CI) |
| Mortality by 28 days of life | 3 | 3533 | 0.78 (0.66 to 0.92) |
| Mortality at 6 months of age | 1 | 72 | 1.0 (0.15 to 6.72) |
| Sepsis until 28 days | 2 | 3415 | 0.85 (0.76 to 0.96) |
| Exclusive breastfeeding at discharge | 3 | 3464 | 1.12 (1.07 to 1.16) |
| Exclusive breastfeeding at 28 days of age | 3 | 2841 | 1.01 (0.98 to 1.04) |
| Hypothermia at discharge or by 28 days | 3 | 3553 | 0.74 (0.61 to 0.90) |
| Weight gain at 28-day follow-up (g/d) | 1 | 204 | MD −2.20 (−5.26 to 0.86) |
| Nosocomial sepsis | |||
| Clinical sepsis | 2 | 3415 | 0.85 (0.75 to 0.95) |
| Culture-positive sepsis | 1 | 279 | 1.53 (0.44 to 5.31) |
| Re-admission to hospital at 4 weeks of age | 1 | 73 | 1.95 (0.18 to 20.5) |
| Length of hospital stay (days) | 3 | 3498 | −0.30 (−0.31 to −0.29) |
MD, mean difference.