| Sub-title | |
| Authors | Joseph Mizzi MD, MRCP R Vella Muskat MD, MRCP |
| Abstract | Background: Thermal care is an essential aspect of the routine care of the newborn because hypothermia is an important and preventable contributor to morbidity. Aim: To evaluate whether the new practice of postponing bathing of the newborn at St Luke's Hospital has resulted in an improvement in neonatal thermal care. Methods: Analysis of the temperature on admission to the nursery from labour ward during 2005 of a consecutive sample of 877 infants, compared to the results obtained from a similar study in 2002. Results: The proportion of babies admitted with normal body temperature (36.5-37.5°C) was 43.4% in 2005, compared to 25.5% in 2002. The proportion of babies admitted with moderate hypothermia was reduced from 32.3% in 2002 to 14.4% in 2005. Implications: Delayed bathing has resulted in a significant improvement in thermal care of the newborn. |
Published in: | |
| Journal | Malta Medical Journal |
| Volume | 19 |
| Pages | 34 - 37 |
| Date | 01/03/2007 |
| Link to journal | |
| Key words | hypothermia, newborn, postponing bathing |