The Effect of Newborn's First Bath Time on Physiological Variables

The aim of this study is to examine the effect of the first bath timing after birth on the physiological variables of the newborn and to determine the correct bath time. The research is a single-center, prospective parallel group randomized controlled experimental design study. The research was conducted with a total of 120 babies, 60 preterm babies and 60 early term babies, who received inpatient care and treatment in the neonatal intensive care unit between October 2022 and November 2023. Depending on randomization, newborns were bathed within 24 hours or 48 hours after birth. Physiological measurements of newborns were evaluated before application. Measurements were repeated after application, 10 minutes after application and 60 minutes after application. In the study, it was collected with the Baby Information Form and Physiological Variables Monitoring Form. Data were analyzed using chi-square, mean, percentage distributions, dependent groups t-test for comparison of intra-group measurements, repeated measures anova test, and independent groups t-test for comparison of quantitative continuous data. In the preterm group, the pre-bath respiration, body temperature and oxygen saturation values of newborns bathed within 48 hours were found to be significantly lower than those of newborns bathed within 24 hours in post-bath measurements (p<0.05). In the early term group, it was found that the pre-bath heart rate peak values of newborns bathed within 48 hours were significantly lower than those of newborns bathed within 24 hours in post-bath measurements (p<0.05).