Head Coverings for Newborns under Radiant Warmers

Abstract

An experimental study was conducted to compare the heat loss prevention capability of three head treatment modalities: no head covering, a stockinette, and a fabric‐insulated bonnet. Each modality was employed in conjunction with a radiant warmer. Rectal temperatures of 90 neonates, 30 randomly selected to each treatment group, were recorded at 5, 15, and 30 minutes after birth. The data were analyzed, employing an analysis of variance technique and Tukey method for multiple comparisons. The stockinette was significantly less effective in preventing heat loss than were the bonnet and no head covering modalities.