KANGAROO MOTHER CARE- A COST EFFECTIVE AND AN ALTERNATE METHOD TO MANAGE HYPOTHERMIA IN LOW BIRTH WEIGHT BABIES FOR BETTER CLINICAL OUTCOME. Kanodia P, Bora R, Gupta A NGMC, NEPALGUNJ, Nepal OBJECTIVES:  To study the effect of Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) and conventional methods of care on weight gain, occurrence of hypothermia and apnea and duration of hospital stay among Low Birth Weight (LBW) babies. METHODS:  It was a randomized control trial study and conducted over a period of one year. Total 242 stable LBW babies weighing less than 2000 gm and fulfilling inclusion criteria were included in the study. Neonates enrolled for the study were allocated to either KMC or control group using random number table. KMC group was subjected to Kangaroo mother care of at least six hours per day in not more than four sittings. In control group, babies were adequately clothed, covered and kept with their mother and if required were kept under radiant warmer. Recording of temperature in KMC group was done before, during and after KMC. In control group temperature was taken every 4 hours. Weighing of baby was done twice daily on electronic weighing scale. RESULTS:  Median daily weight gain (IQR) was 11 (6- 22) gm in KMC group as compared to 8 (0-10) gm in control group (p<0.001). Mean weight gain was 13.11±10.04 gm in KMC group as compared to 3.33±15.81 gm in control group (p<0.001). Incidence of hypothermia was more in control group (14.6%) as compared to KMC group (5.1%) (p=