Reducing hypothermia in preterm infants with polyethylene wrap

Area of Science:

• Neonatalogy
• Perinatal Medicine
• Thermoregulation

Background:

• Occlusive plastic wrap is effective for very preterm infants (<28 weeks' gestation) to prevent heat loss.
• The effectiveness of occlusive wrap for infants between 28 and 34 weeks' gestation remains unclear.
• This study investigates the impact of immediate postnatal occlusive wrap on temperature in preterm infants.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the effect of occlusive wrap at birth on admission temperature in preterm infants.
• To evaluate the incidence of hypothermia in preterm infants managed with or without occlusive wrap.
• To assess the efficacy of occlusive wrap in infants with gestational age ≥24 and <34 weeks.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial was conducted with preterm infants (gestational age ≥24 and <34 weeks).
• Infants were assigned to either an occlusive polyethylene plastic wrap group or a standard care (control) group immediately after birth.
• Axillary temperatures were measured upon Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) admission and after stabilization in incubators.

Main Results:

• The occlusive wrap group exhibited a significantly higher mean admission temperature (35.8°C) compared to the control group (34.8°C).
• Hypothermia (<36.5°C) was less frequent in the wrap group (78%) than in the control group (98%).
• Among infants <28 weeks' gestation, post-stabilization temperatures were significantly higher in the wrap group.

Conclusions:

• Immediate postnatal application of polyethylene plastic wrap is associated with improved thermoregulation in preterm infants up to 34 weeks' gestation.
• Occlusive wrapping reduces the incidence of hypothermia in preterm neonates.
• This intervention offers a simple and effective method to enhance thermal stability in preterm infants.