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Effect of polyethylene bag to prevent heat loss in preterm infants at birth: a randomized controlled trial
Songkiat Chantaroj1, Wilaiporn Techasatid
1Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathumthani, Thailand.
Insights
Wrapping preterm infants in a polyethylene bag immediately after birth significantly reduces hypothermia. This simple intervention improves admission temperatures and lowers the incidence of hypothermia in vulnerable newborns.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal care
- Perinatal medicine
- Thermoregulation
Background:
- Hypothermia at birth is a significant risk factor for morbidity and mortality in preterm infants.
- Maintaining thermal stability is crucial for neonatal outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the effectiveness of polyethylene bag wrapping at birth in improving admission temperatures.
- To determine the impact of this intervention on hypothermia incidence in preterm infants.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving 38 preterm infants (gestational age ≤ 32 weeks).
- Infants were either wrapped in a polyethylene bag immediately after birth or received standard thermal care.
- Rectal temperatures and hypothermia rates were compared between groups upon admission.
Main Results:
- Preterm infants wrapped in polyethylene bags had significantly higher admission temperatures (median 36.5°C vs. 35.9°C).
- The incidence of hypothermia was substantially lower in the polyethylene bag group (26% vs. 89%).
Conclusions:
- Polyethylene bag wrapping is an effective method to prevent heat loss in preterm infants at delivery.
- This simple, inexpensive intervention significantly reduces the incidence of hypothermia in preterm neonates.
Background:
Hypothermia at birth has been associated with increased morbidity and mortality in preterm infants.
Objective:
To evaluate the effect of wrap with polyethylene bag at birth on admission temperatures and the incidences of hypothermia on admission in preterm infants gestational age < or = 32 weeks.
Material And Method:
A randomized controlled trial was conducted in thirty-eight preterm infants with gestational age < or = 32 weeks. The infants were assigned and placed in polyethylene bag immediately after birth without drying under a radiant warmer or received standard thermal care including being dried and placed under a radiant warmer. Rectal temperatures were recorded on admission to neonatal unit and incidences o hypothermia were compared between the two groups.
Results:
The body temperatures of preterm infants with polyethylene bag were significantly higher than those of the control group {median 36.5 degrees C (range 35.5 degrees C-37.2 degrees C) vs. 35.9 degrees C (range 34.9 degrees C-36.5 degrees C), p < 0.001}. On admission, the incidence of hypothermia in preterm infants wrap with polyethylene bag was significantly lower than in the control group (26% vs. 89%, p < 0.001) with a risk reduction of 0.63 (95% CI 0.39-0.87) and a number needed to treat of 1.58.
Conclusion:
Polyethylene bag prevents heat loss at delivery in preterm infant less than 32 weeks gestation. Incidence of hypothermia was significantly reduced by use of polyethylene bag, a simple and inexpensive intervention.
