title: Effect of polyethylene bag to prevent heat loss in preterm infants at birth: a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hypothermia at birth has been associated with increased morbidity and mortality in preterm infants.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effect of wrap with polyethylene bag at birth on admission temperatures and the incidences of hypothermia on admission in preterm infants gestational age < or = 32 weeks.
  
  
  METHODS
  A randomized controlled trial was conducted in thirty-eight preterm infants with gestational age < or = 32 weeks. The infants were assigned and placed in polyethylene bag immediately after birth without drying under a radiant warmer or received standard thermal care including being dried and placed under a radiant warmer. Rectal temperatures were recorded on admission to neonatal unit and incidences o hypothermia were compared between the two groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The body temperatures of preterm infants with polyethylene bag were significantly higher than those of the control group {median 36.5 degrees C (range 35.5 degrees C-37.2 degrees C) vs. 35.9 degrees C (range 34.9 degrees C-36.5 degrees C), p < 0.001}. On admission, the incidence of hypothermia in preterm infants wrap with polyethylene bag was significantly lower than in the control group (26% vs. 89%, p < 0.001) with a risk reduction of 0.63 (95% CI 0.39-0.87) and a number needed to treat of 1.58.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Polyethylene bag prevents heat loss at delivery in preterm infant less than 32 weeks gestation. Incidence of hypothermia was significantly reduced by use of polyethylene bag, a simple and inexpensive intervention.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathumthani, Thailand.
authors.forename: Songkiat
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chantaroj
authors.forename: Wilaiporn
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Techasatid
mesh_terms: D001833:Body Temperature Regulation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007035:Hypothermia / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007224:Infant Care / Q000295:instrumentation*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D020959:Polyethylene
chemical_list: D020959:Polyethylene