Newborns' temperature submitted to radiant heat and to the Top Maternal device at birth

Abstract

Objective: to compare the axillar temperatures of newborns that are put immediately after birth in skin-to-skin contact under the Top Maternal device, as compared to those in a radiant heat crib. Methods: comparatives observational study of the case-control type about temperature of 60 babies born at the Obstetric Center and Normal Delivery Center of a public hospital of the municipality of Sao Paulo, being them: 29 receiving assistance in heated crib and 31 in skin-to skin contact, shielded by a cotton tissue placed on mother's thorax, called Top Maternal. Results: the temperature of the babies of the skin-to-skin contact group presented higher values in a larger share of the time measures verified, as compared to those that were placed in radiant heat crib, independently from the place of birth. Differences between the two groups were not statistically significant. Conclusion: the study contributes to generate new knowledge, supporting the idea of keeping babies with their mothers immediately after birth protected with the Maternal Top, without harming their wellbeing, as it keeps the axillar temperature in recommendable levels.

Práticas culturais do primeiro banho do recém-nascido na maternidade: um estudo etnográfico

“…Porém, em alguns depoimentos, observou-se que o primeiro banho realizado no RN, a equipe de enfermagem leva em consideração o que é preconizado pela OMS (12) , no tocante à realização do primeiro banho após 6h de vida da criança. A exceção ficará para os casos em que o RN está banhado em mecônio ou é filho de mulher portadora do vírus da hepatite B, herpes vírus ou HIV, com o objetivo de remover resíduos de sangue materno, minimizando a exposição do Rn e da equipe a esses agentes patológicos (31,32) .…”

Newborn bath: construction and validation of the instrument content

“…The construction of instruments in several research areas has become common and has great influence on decisions about excessive humidity and friction with the skin, favoring cellular integrity and maintenance of the protective function (24)(25) . The towel should be close to the bathing area and easily accessible so that the baby is not exposed to temperature variations (26) .…”

Hipotermia e banho do recém-nascido nas primeiras horas de vida

“…With similar findings, a randomized clinical trial (conducted in Canada) showed that the immersion bath, with a water temperature range of 37.8°C to 38.8°C, can reduce the heat losses of healthy full-term infants. In addition, such care helps newborns to maintain higher body temperatures after the procedure (15) .…”

“…Regarding the duration of the bath, the procedure is recommended to be as fast as possible, lasting from five to ten minutes. Limiting the bath to five minutes prevents stress from cold and reduces the exposure time of neonates to cleaning agents (13,15) .…”