Reducing Hypothermia In Preterm Infants Following Delivery

Russo A, McCready M, Torres L, Theuriere C, Venturini S, Spaight M, Hemway RJ, Handrinos S, Perlmutter D, Huynh T, Grunebaum A, Perlman J. Reducing hypothermia in preterm infants following delivery. Pediatrics. 2014 Apr;133(4):e1055-62. doi: 10.1542/peds.2013-2544. Epub 2014 Mar 31. PubMed PMID: 24685958.

Background
Moderate hypothermia (temperature <36°C) at birth is common in premature infants and is associated with increased mortality and morbidity.

Methods
A multidisciplinary practice plan was implemented to determine in premature infants <35 weeks old whether a multifaceted approach would reduce the number of inborn infants with an admitting axillary temperature <36°C by 20% without increasing exposure to a temperature >37.5°C. The plan included use of occlusive wrap a transwarmer mattress and cap for all infants and maintaining an operating room temperature between 21°C and 23°C. Data were obtained at baseline (n = 66), during phasing in (n = 102), and at full implementation (n = 193).

Results
Infant axillary temperature in the delivery room (DR) increased from 36.1°C ± 0.6°C to 36.2°C ± 0.6°C to 36.6°C ± 0.6°C (P < .001), and admitting temperature increased from 36.0°C ± 0.8°C to 36.3°C ± 0.6°C to 36.7°C ± 0.5°C at baseline, phasing in, and full implementation, respectively (P < .001). The number of infants with temperature <36°C decreased from 55% to 6.2% at baseline versus full implementation (P < .001), and intubation at 24 hours decreased from 39% to 17.6% (P = .005). There was no increase in the number of infants with a temperature >37.5°C over time. The use of occlusive wrap, mattress, and cap increased from 33% to 88% at baseline versus full implementation. Control charts showed significant improvement in DR ambient temperature at baseline versus full implementation.

Conclusions
The practice plan was associated with a significant increase in DR and admitting axillary infant temperatures and a corresponding decrease in the number of infants with moderate hypothermia. There was an associated reduction in intubation at 24 hours. These positive findings reflect increased compliance with the practice plan.

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