The effect of three nursing interventions on thermoregulation in low birth weight infants.

PURPOSE

The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the use of three nursing interventions--occlusive wrap, chemical mattress, and regulation of delivery room temperature--singly and in combination in consecutive years on thermoregulation in six groups of low birth weight infants.

DESIGN

A quasi-experimental design was used. Prospective data were collected on 133 infants weighing <1,500 g. Interventions were tested on different groups of infants in each of three years. The control group comprised 295 infants on which retrospective chart data were available over an earlier three-year period.

SAMPLE

Infants weighing <1,500 g participated in the study.

MAIN OUTCOME VARIABLE

The main outcome variable was NI CU admission temperatures of infants weighing <1,500 g. For data analysis, infants were divided into two groups: those weighing <1,000 g and those weighing between 1,000 and 1,500 g.

RESULTS

For each of the three interventions, the percentage having a normal NICU admission temperature in each intervention group exceeded the control group percentage, but the increase was not significant. Use of each intervention--occlusive wrap alone, occlusive wrap in addition to chemical mattress, and occlusive wrap in addition to chemical mattress and increased delivery room temperature--appeared to influence thermoregulation positively.