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Placing Preterm Infants in Polyethylene Bags Immediately After Birth

Not Applicable
Conditions
Infant
Premature
Newborn
Hypothermia
Interventions
Other: Polyethylene bag before the umbilical cord is clamped
Registration Number
NCT04463511
Lead Sponsor
University College Dublin
Brief Summary

Primary objective: To determine if placing preterm infants in a polyethylene bag (PB) immediately after birth, before the umbilical cord is clamped, will increase the number of preterm infants with a normal temperature on admission to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

Detailed Description

Newly born preterm infants that develop abnormal temperature after birth have higher morbidity and mortality. Placing infants \< 32 weeks' gestation in a polyethylene bag (PB) in the delivery room (DR) reduces the rate of hypothermia on admission to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Since 2012, the rate of admission hypothermia in preterm infants, placed in a PB in the DR at the National Maternity Hospital (NMH), has increased significantly. This may be as a result of heat loss while the infant remains attached to the cord.

Our primary objective is to determine if placing preterm infants in a PB immediately after birth, before the umbilical cord is clamped will increase the number of preterm infants with a normal temperature on admission to the NICU.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
UNKNOWN
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
194
Inclusion Criteria

Infants who are inborn at the National Maternity Hospital at < 32 (up to 31+6) weeks' gestation by best obstetric estimate will be included in the study.

Exclusion Criteria
  • Infants with a large abdominal wall or neural tube defects
  • Infants with an imperforate anus
  • Infants to whom resuscitative measures are not initiated in the DR

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
PB BCC: Polyethylene Bag Before Cord ClampingPolyethylene bag before the umbilical cord is clampedImmediately after delivery, while still attached to placental circulation, infants will be placed in a PB. After the cord has been clamped and cut, the infant will be transferred to the resuscitaire for ongoing care. In the case of caesarean section a sterile bag will be used and prepared observing sterile techniques. A member of the neonatal team donned in sterile gown and gloves will assist the obstetrician in placing the infant in the PB.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Temperature on admission to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)The primary outcome measure will be determined on admission to the NICU, before the infant is removed from the transport incubator (< 90minutes of life)

Rectal temperature recorded upon arrival to the NICU, while the infant is in the transport incubator. (measured in degrees celsius)

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
External cardiac massage in the delivery roomWithin 2 hours of birth

Yes/ No, Duration

Hypotension requiring inotropesTerm corrected gestation age or hospital discharge (<17 weeks)

Yes/ no, inotropes, duration

Respiratory support in the DRWithin 2 hours of birth

Type and duration of respiratory support in the DR

Axillary temperature on admission to the NICUBetween 0-2 hours of life

Measured with Microlife MT 1931 digital thermometer at the rectum. Recorded in degrees celsius.

Intubation and mechanical ventilationTerm corrected gestation age or hospital discharge (<17 weeks)

Yes/no, type and duration

Pulmonary haemorrhageTerm corrected gestation age or hospital discharge (<17 weeks)

Yes/ no

Necrotising enterocolitisTerm corrected gestation age or hospital discharge (<17 weeks)

Bell's staging criteria

Death before discharge from hospitalTerm corrected gestation age or hospital discharge (<17 weeks)

Yes/ no

5 minute ApgarWithin 2 hours of birth

Scale (0-10)

Infant temperature recordings in the delivery roomWithin 2 hours of birth

Measured with Microlife MT 1931 digital thermometer at the rectum. Recorded in degrees celsius.

Central catheter placement in first 24 hoursBetween 0-24 hours of life

Yes/no. Type and location of catheter

Surfactant administrationDay 1 - 7 of life

Yes/ no, route of administration

Intraventricular haemorrhageTerm corrected gestation age or hospital discharge (<17 weeks)

Papile classification

Respiratory Distress SyndromeBetween 0-24 hours of life

Yes/no

Pneumothorax requiring drainageTerm corrected gestation age or hospital discharge (<17 weeks)

Yes/ no, needle aspiration or definitive chest drain or both

Retinopathy of prematurity requiring treatmentTerm corrected gestation age or hospital discharge (<17 weeks)

Yes/ no, treatment

Temperature 1 hour after admissionBetween 0-2 hours of life

Measured with Microlife MT 1931 digital thermometer at the rectum. Recorded in degrees celsius.

Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) on the first day of life (24 hours)Between 0-24 hours of life

Yes/ no, type of NIV

Sepsis - early onsetBetween 0-72 hours of life

Yes/ no

Sepsis - late onsetAfter 72 hours of life until term corrected or hospital discharge (maximum 16 weeks)

Yes/ no

Periventricular leukomalaciaTerm corrected gestation age or hospital discharge (<17 weeks)

Yes/ no

Oxygen requirement at 36 weeks corrected gestational age36 weeks corrected gestational age

Yes/ no

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

National Maternity Hospital

🇮🇪

Dublin, Dubiln, Ireland

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