The effect of timing of initial bath on newborn's temperature.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effect of the early timing of an initial bath on newborn temperature.


METHODS
Random assignment to group, comparative study.


METHODS
Newborn nursery of a 20-bed obstetric unit in a regional hospital in the Midwest.


METHODS
80 healthy, full-term newborns.


METHODS
40 neonates were bathed at 1 hour of age and 40 were bathed at 2 hours of age.


METHODS
Axillary temperatures were measured before the admission bath and at 10, 20, and 60 minutes after the bath with disposable thermometers; the maximum drop in temperature also was determined.


RESULTS
No significant differences were noted in axillary temperatures between the two groups before the bath or at 10, 20, or 60 minutes after the bath. The groups did not differ significantly by gender, birth weight, length of bath in minutes, room temperature during bath, Apgar score at 5 minutes, or gestational age.


CONCLUSIONS
Healthy full-term newborns with an axillary temperature > or = 36.8 degrees C (98.2 degrees F) can be bathed after 1 hour of age when appropriate care is taken to support thermal stability.
Varda
K E
KE
St. Mary's Health Care Services, Welborn Campus, Evansville, IN 47713, USA.
Behnke
R S
RS
D001494:Baths / Q000009:adverse effects; D001831:Body Temperature; D001833:Body Temperature Regulation / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007035:Hypothermia / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D007231:Infant, Newborn / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D013997:Time Factors