Anne Behring1, Toni M Vezeau, Regina Fink. 1. Women's and Infants Division, University of Colorado Hospital, Denver 80262, USA. anne.behring@uhcolorado.edu
Abstract
PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects on thermoregulation of bathing a healthy newborn within the first hour of life compared to bathing four to six hours after birth. DESIGN: Quasi-experimental. SETTING: Newborn nursery of a 30-bed obstetric unit in an urban university hospital. SAMPLE: Fifty-one healthy term newborns with a minimum axillary temperature of 36.5 degrees C (97.7 degrees F). INTERVENTION: Newborns in an experimental group were bathed within the first hour of birth; those in a control group were bathed at the standard four to six hours of age. MAIN OUTCOME VARIABLE: Axillary temperatures were measured before the bath, immediately after the bath, one hour later, and two hours later. RESULTS: Axillary temperatures as measured at four different times did not differ significantly between infants bathed within one hour of birth and those bathed four to six hours after birth. CONCLUSIONS: A flexible bathing time is recommended according to the characteristics and stability of the newborn and to family desires.
PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects on thermoregulation of bathing a healthy newborn within the first hour of life compared to bathing four to six hours after birth. DESIGN: Quasi-experimental. SETTING: Newborn nursery of a 30-bed obstetric unit in an urban university hospital. SAMPLE: Fifty-one healthy term newborns with a minimum axillary temperature of 36.5 degrees C (97.7 degrees F). INTERVENTION: Newborns in an experimental group were bathed within the first hour of birth; those in a control group were bathed at the standard four to six hours of age. MAIN OUTCOME VARIABLE: Axillary temperatures were measured before the bath, immediately after the bath, one hour later, and two hours later. RESULTS: Axillary temperatures as measured at four different times did not differ significantly between infants bathed within one hour of birth and those bathed four to six hours after birth. CONCLUSIONS: A flexible bathing time is recommended according to the characteristics and stability of the newborn and to family desires.
Authors: Luke C Mullany; Gary L Darmstadt; Subarna K Khatry; Steve C LeClerq; James M Tielsch Journal: Indian Pediatr Date: 2006-02 Impact factor: 1.411