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Heat Loss Prevention: A Systematic Review of Occlusive Skin Wrap for Premature Neonates

Journal of Perinatology volume 25, pages 763–769 (2005)Cite this article

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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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, Complementary and Alternative Research and Education Program (K.C., E.C., S.V.), University of Alberta, Alberta, Canada

    Kristie Cramer MSc, Ellen Crumley MLIS, AHIP & Sunita Vohra MD, MSc

  2. Department of Medicine (N.W.), Division of Nephrology, University of Alberta, Alberta, Canada

    Natasha Wiebe MMath, PStat

  3. Department of Pediatrics, Alberta Research Centre for Child Health Evidence (L.H.), University of Alberta, Alberta, Canada

    Lisa Hartling MSc

Authors
  1. Kristie Cramer MSc
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  2. Natasha Wiebe MMath, PStat
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  3. Lisa Hartling MSc
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  4. Ellen Crumley MLIS, AHIP
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  5. Sunita Vohra MD, MSc
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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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