Effects of sponge bathing on vagal tone and behavioural responses in premature infants

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of sponge bathing on physiological (vagal tone, heart rate, heart period, oxygen saturation) and behavioural responses in newly born premature infants in the intensive care unit of a university hospital in South Korea. A convenience sample was taken of 40 infants who were between 27 and 36 weeks gestational age at birth and free of congenital defects. The infants' physiological parameters were recorded 10 min before, during and after bathing. To determine behavioural status, tools were modified from the instruments used in a previous study by Scafidi et al. (1990). Analysis of the results showed that the premature infants reacted to sponge bathing with decreases in vagal tone and heart period and increases in heart rate. Oxygen saturation did not demonstrate any remarkable alteration during bathing. Also, there were no significant differences in behavioural signs, motor activity and behavioural distress. Results of this study indicated that nurses in a neonatal intensive care unit should decide according to a premature infant's physiological state whether or not to give a sponge bath.

Cardiac Vagal Tone as an Index of Autonomic Nervous Function in Healthy Newborn and Premature Infants

“…Levels of cardiac vagal tone in infants are also influenced by levels of illness (Hanna et al, 2000), sleep state (Villa et al, 2000), stimulation (Brown, 2007;Lee, 2002), and a range of competent behaviors (Steward, Moser, & Ryan-Wenger, 2001). Results of studies on both full term and premature infants suggest that levels of cardiac vagal tone reflect the autonomic nervous development of the infants.…”

Bathing Basics

“…Factors such as physiological stress 10,11 or reduction in skin infections should play a factor in determining how often an infant is bathed. Factors such as physiological stress 10,11 or reduction in skin infections should play a factor in determining how often an infant is bathed.…”

Respostas fisiológicas e comportamentais de recém-nascidos pré-termos submetidos a duas técnicas de banho de imersão: ensaio clínico cruzado

“…Manter o recém-nascido aquecido e seco, utilizando aquecedores radiantes na unidade, evitando correntes de ar, aquecendo objetos que entrem em contato com o recém-nascido e envolvê-lo em cobertores aquecidos ajudam na redução da perda de calor (Thomas, 1994;WHO, 1997;Kenner, 2001;Baumgart, 2008 (Lee, 2002;Peng et al, 2011).…”