The effect of polyethylene swaddle in hypothermia prevention among low birth weight neonates

Abstract

Background: Hypothermia appears predominant among low birth weight (LBW) newborns. This condition tends to instigate severe medical complications, including acidosis, cerebral hemorrhage, hypoglycemia, and hyaline membrane disease. Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of swaddling technique in hypothermia prevention among LBW neonates. Methods: This randomized controlled trial was conducted on 40 recent babies (20 controls and 20 interventions), using a pre- and post-test design. In the intervention group, a polyethylene swaddling was used, and in the control group, a cloth swaddling was used. Digital axillary thermometer was used to detect the body temperature. Mann–Whitney U-test and Wilcoxon test were employed to examine the temperature difference between the two groups. Results: This observation showed a trend toward improvement in average temperature in the intervention group (pre 34.8°C, post 36.4°C) compared to the control group (pre 33.3°C, post 34.9°C). There were significant within-group changes in both groups (P < 0.05) although no significant difference was found between the two groups (P = 0.267). Conclusions: Both polyethylene and cloth swaddling methods showed improvement in neonate temperature. These methods are therefore highly recommended as alternatives in hypothermia prevention among LBW infants.

Keywords

• body temperature
• hypothermia
• low birth weight
• neonates
• plastic swaddling
• polyethylene