Temperature Probe Placement during Preterm Infant Resuscitation: A Randomised Trial.

Area of Science:

• Neonatal Intensive Care
• Pediatric Resuscitation
• Thermoregulation

Background:

• Hypothermia in preterm infants admitted to intensive care is linked to adverse outcomes.
• Current neonatal resuscitation guidelines recommend servo-controlled thermoregulation.
• Evidence for optimal temperature probe placement during delivery room resuscitation is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare infant temperatures upon NICU admission based on probe placement during delivery room resuscitation.
• To evaluate if dorsal, thoracic, or axillary probe placement affects temperature in moderately preterm infants.

Main Methods:

• A randomized trial involving 122 preterm infants (28 0/7 to 35 6/7 weeks gestation) was conducted.
• Infants were assigned to dorsal, thoracic, or axillary probe placement post-birth.
• Temperatures were servo-controlled, with admission temperatures recorded before transfer to a closed isolette.

Main Results:

• No significant differences in mean admission temperatures were observed between the three probe placement groups (dorsum: 36.7°C, thorax: 36.8°C, axilla: 36.7°C).
• The proportion of infants within the target temperature range (36.5-37.5°C) was comparable across all groups.
• Birthweight, gestational age, and sex were similar across the study groups.

Conclusions:

• Temperature probe placement in the dorsal, thoracic, or axillary areas results in similar admission temperatures for moderately preterm infants.
• Further research is needed for infants under 28 weeks gestation to establish best practices.