Effect of the use of a polyethylene wrap on the morbidity and mortality of very low birth weight infants in Alexandria University Children's Hospital.

Background: Thermal management of the very low birth weight (VLBW) infant (<1500 g) is a cornerstone of neonatology because thermal stress is an important determinant of survival. The present study aimed to evaluate the safety, efficacy, and feasibility of applying polyethylene occlusive skin wrapping to prevent hypothermia during resuscitation at birth in VLBW neonates.

Participants And Methods: Using a quasi experimental nonrandomized study design, 50 preterm VLBW infants were wrapped immediately after birth by low-density polyethylene transparent plastic wraps and another 50 infants were subjected to ordinary resuscitation guidelines, and both were admitted to the newborn intensive care unit (NICU).