Tub bathing improves thermoregulation of the late preterm infant.

OBJECTIVE: To compare body temperature of the late preterm infant after 24 hours of life at three time points before and after immersion tub bathing or sponge bathing. We hypothesized that late preterm infants achieve significantly improved thermoregulation when bathed by immersion tub bath compared to traditional sponge bathing.

DESIGN: This study was a randomized controlled trial.

SETTING: A large metropolitan teaching hospital in the northeastern United States.

POPULATION: Late preterm infants (100) born between 35 and 36 6/7 weeks gestation, bathed in the well-baby nursery of a 30-bed mother/baby unit.

METHODS: Infant participants were identified and informed consent was obtained from the parent. Infants were randomized into two groups: 50 bathed by sponge and 50 bathed by immersion tub. Infant body temperature was measured at three time points: 10 minutes prior to bathing, 10 minutes following bathing, and 30 minutes following bathing.

RESULTS: Infants who were tub bathed experienced significantly less variability in body temperature and overall were warmer 10 minutes and 30 minutes following the bath compared to infants who were sponge bathed (p = .024).

CONCLUSION: The study findings support the hypothesis that late preterm infants who are tub bathed experience significantly less body temperature variability and an overall higher body temperature following the bathing procedure.