Abstract
Introduction: Low admission temperature has been associated with increased morbidity and mortality in preterm infants.
Aim: To compare admission axillary temperatures of preterm infants <31 weeks transported from delivery to nursery on either radiant warmers (RW) or in incubators (INC). Target axillary temperature on admission was 36.5 to 37.5 degrees C.
Method: Following delivery infants were wrapped in plastic and resuscitated under radiant warmers. When stable (5–10 minutes) they were transported on either RW (with power source) or in a pre-warmed INC with power source and air temperature 39 degrees C. Allocation for transport was by randomisation and use of sealed envelopes; randomisation was stratified by gestation. Numbers allowed for detection of 35% difference in proportion of infants with admission temperature in target range; p<0.05, study power 80%.
Results: Of 71 eligible infants, 64 were analysed (32 in each group). 25 were 23–25 weeks gestation, 29 were 26–28 weeks; 10 were 29–30 weeks. Median birth weight (900g) and gestation (26.3wks) were similar in the two groups (p>0.05). Median time to admission was 16 minutes (RW group) and 17 minutes (INC group; p>0.05). The 2 groups were comparable with regard to antenatal steroid use, delivery mode, number of males and 5 minute Apgar score (p >0.05). Median (interquartile range) of admission temperatures was 36.8 (36.5 − 37) deg C for the RW group and 36.8 (36.2–37.3) deg C for the INC group (p>0.05). Overall, 7 infants in the RW group and 11 in the INC group had temperatures outside the target range (p>0.05). Rates of other neonatal outcomes were similar (p>0.05) in the 2 groups.
Conclusion: Both radiant warmer and incubator transport provided satisfactory admission temperatures in most infants. The use of plastic wrap probably helped achieve these results.
Funding was obtained from Fisher and Paykel Health Care, manufacturers of the radiant warmer.
Log in or create a free account to read this content
Gain free access to this article, as well as selected content from this journal and more on nature.com
or
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Meyer, M. 243 Admission Temperature After Transport from Delivery to Nursery: A Randomised Trial Comparing Radiant Warmer and Incubator in Preterm Infants. Pediatr Res 58, 396 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-200508000-00272
Issue date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-200508000-00272
