title: Heat loss prevention (help) after birth in preterm infants using vinyl isolation bag or polyethylene wrap.
abstract: 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.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective, randomized controlled trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  The neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of the Istanbul Faculty of Medicine in Turkey.
  
  
  METHODS
  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).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Wrapping preterm infants of gestational age ≤ 32 weeks in vinyl bags immediately after birth is associated with lower incidences of hypothermia.
authors.forename: Seda
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Çağlar
authors.forename: Duygu
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gözen
authors.forename: Zeynep
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Ince
mesh_terms: D001831:Body Temperature; D001833:Body Temperature Regulation / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007035:Hypothermia / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007224:Infant Care / Q000379:methods*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; D008297:Male; D020959:Polyethylene; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011481:Protective Clothing; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014421:Turkey; D014753:Vinyl Compounds
chemical_list: D014753:Vinyl Compounds; D020959:Polyethylene
keywords: Hypothermia management; additional barrier methods; body temperature; heat loss; newborn; nursing; polyethylene wrap; preterm; vinyl isolation bag