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Review
. 2022 Aug;111(8):1490-1499.
doi: 10.1111/apa.16407. Epub 2022 May 30.

Optimising homeothermy in neonates: A systematic review and clinical guidelines from the French Neonatal Society

Pierre Tourneux  1   2 , Gérard Thiriez  3 , Laurent Renesme  4 , Claire Zores  5   6 , Jacques Sizun  7 , Pierre Kuhn  5   6 ; Group of Reflection and Evaluation of the Environment of Newborns (GREEN) study group of the French Neonatology Society
Collaborators, Affiliations
Review

Optimising homeothermy in neonates: A systematic review and clinical guidelines from the French Neonatal Society

Pierre Tourneux et al. Acta Paediatr. 2022 Aug.

Abstract

Aim: Thermal instability is harmful on the newborn infant. We sought to draw up practical guidelines on maintaining homeothermy alongside skin-to-skin contact.

Methods: A systematic analysis of the literature identified relevant studies between 2000 and 2021 in the PubMed database. Selected publications were evaluated, and their level of evidence was graded, in order to underpin the development of clinical guidelines.

Results: We identified 7 meta-analyses and 64 clinical studies with a focus on newborn infants homeothermy. Skin-to-skin contact is the easiest and most rapidly implementable method to prevent body heat loss. Alongside skin-to-skin contact, monitoring the newborn infant's body temperature with a target of 37.0°C is essential. For newborn infants <32 weeks of gestation, a skullcap and a polyethylene bag should be used in the delivery room or during transport. To limit water loss, inhaled gases humidification and warming is recommended, and preterm infants weighing less than 1600 g should be nursed in a closed, convective incubator. With regard to incubators, there are no clear benefits for single- versus double-wall incubators as well as for air versus skin servo control.

Conclusion: Alongside skin-to-skin contact, a bundle of practical guidelines could improve the maintenance of homeothermy in the newborn infant.

Keywords: developmental care; incubator; preterm infant; skin‐to‐skin care; temperature.

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References

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