Preventing Heat Loss in Infants <29 Weeks' Gestation

Case

Please read the following vignette and watch the video clip (Fig 1).

Now, stop reading and watch the video.

A 27-5/7 week gestation infant is delivered via cesarean delivery to a mother with severe preeclampsia. Immediately after birth, the infant is vigorous and crying. Which of the following interventions are most effective at preventing heat loss in infants <29 weeks’ gestation?

1. Dry the infant with a warm towel

2. Increase the temperature of the delivery room to 26°C

3. Place the infant under a preheated radiant warmer

4. Place the infant on a portable warming pad

5. Swaddle the infant in a warm blanket

6. Wrap the infant in a polyethylene plastic

1. a, b, c, d, e, f

2. a, b, c, d, e

3. a, b, c, d, f

4. b, c, d, e, f

5. b, c, d, f

Critique

Evidence supports the efficacy of plastic bags or plastic wrapping (food-grade, heat-resistant plastic), in addition to the routine radiant heat, in significantly improving the admission temperature of premature infants of <28 weeks’ gestational age, when compared with standard care (drying with a towel under a radiant heat …