Do Delivery Room Thermal Care Interventions in Preterm Neonates Improve Neonatal Outcomes?

Abstract

Authors included 32 studies comprising 3,568 patients. As compared to routine care, plastic bag or wrap with thermal mattress, plastic bag or wrap with heated humidified respiratory gas, plastic bag or wrap with a plastic cap, thermal mattress, and plastic bag or wrap alone were associated with higher core temperatures (Table). In the SUCRA analysis, plastic bag or wrap with thermal mattress demonstrated the greatest benefit in reducing risk of hypothermia. Regarding secondary outcomes, plastic bag or wrap with a plastic cap was associated with decreased mortality prior to discharge as compared to plastic bag or wrap alone (relative risk [RR] 0.26; 95% credible interval [CrI] 0.02 to 0.86) and routine care (RR 0.19; 95% CrI 0.02 to 0.66).