Heat loss prevention (help) after birth in preterm infants using vinyl isolation bag or polyethylene wrap.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of using vinyl isolation bags or polyethylene wrap for the prevention of postnatal hypothermia in preterm infants at ≤ 32 weeks gestation.

DESIGN: A prospective, randomized controlled trial.

SETTING: The neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of the Istanbul Faculty of Medicine in Turkey.

PARTICIPANTS: Fifty-nine preterm infants.

METHODS: Participants were randomly assigned to either the vinyl isolation-bag experimental group (n = 22) or the polyethylene-wrap control group (n = 37). Infant body temperature was measured at four time points after birth.

RESULTS: Loss of body temperature was significantly less in the vinyl isolation-bag group during the first 60 minutes after birth (p = .041). Body temperature decreased by 1.41 ± 1.65 °C in the vinyl isolation-bag group and 2.75 ± 1.68 °C in the polyethylene wrap group. Body temperature was significantly less in the polyethylene wrap group compared to the vinyl isolation-bag group at birth to 60 minutes (p = .004).

CONCLUSION: Wrapping preterm infants of gestational age ≤ 32 weeks in vinyl bags immediately after birth is associated with lower incidences of hypothermia.