Fathers can effectively achieve heat conservation in healthy newborn infants

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to compare axillar and skin temperatures and metabolic adaptation in healthy, fullterm elective caesarean section delivered infants who were randomized to be cared-for either in (a) an incubator, (b) a cot, or (c) skin-to-skin with the father. Forty-four infants were studied. The mean axillary temperature increase was significantly greater in the skin-to-skin cared-for infants than in the cot cared-for group. There were no significant difference in mean temperature increase between skin-to-sin cared-for and incubator cared-for infants. Blood glucose increase was significant in the skin-to-skin group, but not in the other groups. The catecholamine levels at 120 min after birth were all within normal range, and there were no differences between the three groups, suggesting that none of the groups was exposed to cold stress. Interestingly, at 24 h after birth the mean axillary temperature was significantly higher in the skin-to-skin group than in the incubator group. It can be concluded that fathers can effectively achieve heat conservation in healthy fullterm caesarean section delivered infants.