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Abstract
Background Thermal protection is critical in caring very low birthweight (VLBW).
Methods VLBW infants born at Chang-Gung Memorial Hospital were randomly assigned to TB or control group from February to July 2013. All infants were placed on a pre-warmed radiant warmer upon admission. For TB group, blanket of Blanketrol ® II (Cincinnati Sub-Zero Products) was additionally applied (Figure 1) and system temperature was set 37°C. Individual’s temperature, heart rate, mean blood pressure (MAP), and oxygen saturation were measured immediately at admission and at 30th, 60th, 90th, 120th minute later, respectively. We defined hypothermia as temperature <36°C and hypotension as MAP < index infant’s gestational age (GA).
Results Total 80 VLBW infants (mean GA 28.9 ± 3.0 weeks and birthweight 1062 ± 247 gm) were allocated at 1:1 ratio. There was no between-group demographic dissimilarity, and the percentage of hypothermia was identical at admission. At 30th minute, fewer infants in TB group had hypothermia (43% vs. 68% in control, p = 0.025) (Figure 2). These infants had significantly lower incidence of hypotension at 60th, 90th, and 120th minute, which associated with less dopamine use in the first 6 h of life (25% vs. 50%, p = 0.016).
Conclusion By making full use of thermal blanket to provide additional and consistent thermal protection for VLBW infants, the degree of hypothermia was significant decreased within the initial 30 min of admission, which related to fewer hypotensive cases and less dopamine usage.
