Abstract
OBJECTIVE:
To systematically identify and synthesize investigations of the effectiveness of occlusive skin wrap for reducing heat loss in premature infants born at less than 36 weeks gestations.
STUDY DESIGN:
Systematic review.
RESULTS:
Three randomized controlled trials (RCT) and five historical controlled trials (HCT) were included. Meta-analysis shows wrapped infants had significantly higher admission temperatures than unwrapped infants (RCTs WMD 0.63°C, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.38, 0.87; HCTs WMD 0.96°C, 95% CI 0.66, 1.27). A statistically significant difference in mortality was not found between wrapped and unwrapped infants in the RCTs (RR 0.72, 95% CI 0.36, 1.45) or the HCTs (RR 0.76, 95% CI 0.51, 1.13).
CONCLUSIONS:
The findings suggest that occlusive skin wrap prevents heat loss in premature infants. The meta-analysis lacked the power to provide definitive results regarding the effect of wrap on mortality.
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Cramer, K., Wiebe, N., Hartling, L. et al. Heat Loss Prevention: A Systematic Review of Occlusive Skin Wrap for Premature Neonates. J Perinatol 25, 763–769 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jp.7211392
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jp.7211392
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