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The effect of delaying first bathing on skin barrier function in late preterm infants: A study protocol for
Halil İbrahim Taşdemir1, Emine Efe1
1Child Health Nursing Department, Nursing Faculty, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey.
Insights
Delaying the first bath for late preterm infants may improve skin barrier function and body temperature. This randomized controlled trial investigated the effects of delayed bathing on neonatal outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal care
- Dermatology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- The benefits of infant bathing are established, but its impact on late preterm infants' skin barrier function, temperature, and comfort remains unclear.
- Late preterm infants may be more vulnerable to bathing-related disruptions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the effect of delaying the first bath on skin barrier function, body temperature, and neonatal comfort in late preterm infants.
- To provide evidence for optimal neonatal care practices regarding infant bathing.
Main Methods:
- A multi-center, single-blind, prospective randomized controlled trial involving 80 late preterm infants.
- Infants were randomly assigned to be bathed between 24-48 hours or 48-72 hours after birth.
- Measurements included transepidermal water loss, body temperature, and comfort levels, assessed by blinded researchers and nurses.
Main Results:
- Delayed bathing (48-72 hours) is hypothesized to offer a protective effect on the skin barrier and temperature regulation.
- Further analysis will determine if delayed bathing effectively improves transepidermal water loss and reduces heat loss.
Conclusions:
- This study is expected to yield credible evidence on the benefits of delaying the first bath for late preterm infants.
- Postponing bathing may enhance skin barrier integrity and thermoregulation, potentially improving clinical outcomes.
Aims:
The study aims to examine the effect of delaying first bathing on skin barrier function, body temperature, and neonatal comfort of late preterm infants.
Design:
This study is a multi-centre, single-blind, prospective randomized controlled trial.
Methods:
We attempt to report this randomized controlled trial to comply with the SPIRIT. The study population will consist of 80 late preterm infants born at three centres (hospitals) in Turkey. The study, between September 2020-September 2021 will be held in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. The participants will be randomly divided into two groups, each with different bathing times. The first group (N = 40) will be bathed between 24-48 hr after birth and the second group (N = 40) will be bathed between 48-72 hr after birth. Each group's intervention will be performed by a blinded researcher. The infants' transepidermal water loss, body temperature, and comfort level will be measured before the bath and again at three times after the bath. The measurements will be taken by a blinded researcher and blinded nurse.
Discussion:
The benefits of infant bathing are known. However, the effect of delaying first bathing of late preterm infants on skin barrier function is unknown. At the same time, the effect of delaying bathing on maintaining body temperature and neonatal comfort is unknown.
Impact:
This study is expected to provide a piece of credible evidence of the delay of first bathing and benefit of neonatal care in this population. It is thought that postponing bathing time of late preterm infants to 48-72 hr after birth will lead to a protective effect on skin barrier and temperature. It will be performed in clinical practice if it can effectively improve transepidermal water loss and heat loss.
Trial Registration:
It was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov in January 2020 (NCT04231799).
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