ABSTRACT
Objective:
to compare post-bath axillary body temperature of preterm infants undergoing conventional and swaddled immersion bathing.
Method:
a pilot study of a crossover randomized clinical trial design with 15 clinically stable preterm infants admitted to a neonatal unit. Infants were bathed using both immersion bath techniques in a time interval between 24 to 48 hours according to a randomized bath technique list . Data were analyzed by paired Student t-test assuming p-value ≤ 0.05, 95% CI.
Results:
pre-bath room, bath water and axillary temperatures showed homogeneity between groups. The mean axillary temperatures at 10th and 20th minute post baths were similar. Regardless of the bathing technique used, preterm newborns presented mild post-bath hypothermia.
Conclusion:
further studies that investigate bathing effects on vital signs and behavioral responses are recommended to evaluate procedural safety.
DESCRIPTORS:
Infant, newborn; Tub bathing; Body temperature; Neonatal nursing; Infant, premature
