Effects of different levels of incubator humidity on temperature and fluid and electrolyte balance in infants born at 28 weeks gestation and less.
Completed
- Conditions
- Infants born at 28 weeks gestation and less.Reproductive Health and Childbirth - Fetal medicine and complications of pregnancy
- Registration Number
- ACTRN12606000138583
- Lead Sponsor
- Ms Alison Medhurst, Nurse Unit Manager, Newborn Services, Southern Health
- Brief Summary
Not available
- Detailed Description
Not available
Recruitment & Eligibility
- Status
- Completed
- Sex
- All
- Target Recruitment
- 50
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.
Study & Design
- Study Type
- Interventional
- Study Design
- Not specified
- Primary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method The primary outcome is to compare the temperature variability in preterm infants nursed in 70% or 80% incubator humidity. This will be reflected by the number of documented low body temperature (<36 degree C) on each day for the first seven days after birth [On each day for the first seven days after birth]
- Secondary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method 1) To compare the degree of evaporative water loss in preterm infants nursed in 70% or 80% incubator humidity in terms of daily fluid requirement, variability from normal serum sodium ranges, and skin integrity.[Daily for the first 14 days after birth.];2) To compare the incidences of positive bacterial cultures from incubators in 70% and 80% incubator humidity.[At the start of the study and on day 14.];3) To compare the difference of visibility of the infant nursed in the two different levels of incubator humidity.[Daily for the first seven days after birth.]