PC.86 Factors affecting admission temperatures in preterm infants.

OBJECTIVE: ILCOR recommend polyethylene bags/wraps and a delivery room temperature (DRT) temperature of ≥26(o)C for infants born at <28 weeks' gestation (w).(1) Admission temperatures (AT) <36.5(o)C are associated with increased mortality.(2) We evaluated our thermoregulatory practice and explored factors contributing to hypothermia in newborn preterm infants.

METHODS: A five month prospective audit of all inborn infants <32 w admitted to a tertiary NICU.

RESULTS: We analysed 36 infants: mean (SD) birthweight 1085(358)g, gestational age 28(2)w. Mean maternal temperature was 36.8(0.5)(o)C but <36.5(o)C in 33% of mothers. Mean DRT was 24.7(1.4)(o)C; ≥26(o)C in 9%, <24(o)C in 30%. Infants born in the operating room had a significantly lower mean AT than infants born in labour ward (p = 0.03). Mean infant temperature on the resuscitaire (RT) was 36.8(0.5)(o)C but <36.5(o)C in 19% of infants. Of the 19%, mean RT was 36.1(o)C (range 'unrecordable' -36.3(o)C) and only two infants had a temperature >36.5(o)C within one hour of admission. Regression analysis showed a strong association (48%) between RT and AT. Mean AT was 36.8(0.7)(o)C; <36.5(o)C in 36%, >37.5(o)C in 14%. All infants <28 w and 42% of infants ≥28 w were stabilised in a wrap. Mean AT for those in wraps was 36.9(0.7)(o)C and 36.5(0.6)(o)C for those without wraps. In 41%, wraps were removed before checking AT.

CONCLUSION: These data suggest that several factors affect AT, particularly DRT and RT. Improvements in clinical practice should include targeting DRTs >26(o)C and checking AT before removing wraps. A multidisciplinary approach may improve thermoregulation in newborn preterm infants.

REFERENCES: Perlman, et al. Part 11: Neonatal Resuscitation: 2010 International Consensus on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care Science With Treatment Recommendations. Circulation 2010;122:S516-S538 Laptook, et al. Admission temperature of low birth weight infants: predictors and associated morbidities. Pediatrics 2007;119;e643.