Effect of nappy liners on temperature stability in very preterm infants

To determine whether absorbent liners used in posturally supportive cloth nappies influence temperature stability in infants < 31 weeks gestation.

Randomized cross-over trial conducted at King Edward Memorial Hospital for Women, Perth, Western Australia. Twenty-three infants nursed in incubators on Infant Servo Control were randomly assigned to wear cloth postural support nappies alternately with or without absorbent liners for 24-h periods over 4 days. Measurements of skin and incubator temperatures were recorded hourly. Times of all nappy changes and infant handling procedures were also recorded.

There was no change in any temperature measurement over time, between days, or between day/night periods. Infants nursed with the liner demonstrated a higher skin temperature (0.04 degrees C), and a lower incubator temperature (1.05 degrees C). A drop in skin temperature of 0.02 degrees C and an increase in incubator temperature of 0.28 degrees C occurred following handling of infants. There was no effect due to sex, gestational age, or actual age of the infants.

Use of an absorbent liner within a cloth postural support nappy promotes better temperature regulation in infants < 31 weeks gestation, by reducing incubator temperature and increasing skin temperature.