None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
The purpose of the protocol is to examine the effects of two levels of commonly used ambient humidity (70% and 80%) in the incubator on 1) body temperature control 2) fluid and electrolyte balance 3)bacterial colonisation and visibility as a result of water condensation in preterm infants born at 28 weeks gestation and less. This information will be used as a basis for a unit protocol for nursing preterm infants in humidity. We hypothesize that in the first two weeks of life after birth, there is no significant difference in body temperature stability when nursing preterm infants in either 70% or 80% incubator humidity.
Interventions
This study compares the effects of two different levels of incubator humidity (70%, and 80% relative humidity) on temperature control and fluid and electrolyte balance in preterm infants born at 28 weeks gestation and less.
The duration of the study is 14 days.
Sponsors
Ms Alison Medhurst, Nurse Unit Manager, Newborn Services, Southern Health
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Open (masking not used)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
0 to 2 Days
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
All preterm infants born at 28 weeks gestation and less who are clinically stable enough to be nursed in a closed incubator by 48 hours of age.
Exclusion criteria
Critically ill preterm infants >48 hours of age who continue to be nursed under radiant warmers.
Outcome results
None listed