Effect of Polyethylene Cap on Hypothermia Prevention among Low Birth Weight Neonates

Mansour Moustafa Mohamed, Shimmaa; Samir Ahmed El-husseiny, Hala; Mohamed Ahmed Ayed, Manal; El-Sayed El-Ghadban, Fathia; Mohamed Amin, Fatma

doi:10.21608/ejhc.2020.243484

Effect of Polyethylene Cap on Hypothermia Prevention among Low Birth Weight Neonates

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Assistant Professor of Pediatric Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Zagazig University, Egypt

² Lecturer of Pediatric Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, PortSaid University

³ Assistant Professor of Pediatric Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, Sohag University, Egypt

⁴ Assistant Professor of Pediatric Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing Fayoum University, Egypt

⁵ Assistant Professor of Pediatric Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, Mansoura University, Egypt

10.21608/ejhc.2020.243484

Abstract

Background: Neonatal hypothermia after birth is a worldwide issue across all climates and can
prevented by using polyethylene plastic applied immediately after birth. Aim: The study aimed to
determine the effect of polyethylene cap on hypothermia prevention among low birth weight
neonates. Subjects and method: Design: Quasi-experimental design, pre and post-test with the
control group were used to fulfill the aim of this study. Setting: The study was conducted at the
neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) affiliated to Sohag University Hospital. Subjects: A purposive
sampling technique was used in the study of 100 low birth weight neonates was included, randomly
assigned to polyethylene cap (the experimental group included 50 low birth weight neonates who
had polyethylene caps put on without drying and the control group (50 low birth weight neonates
were underwent routine care and without polyethylene cap). Tools: Low birth weight neonates
assessment sheet; it is divided into two parts: Part (1): characteristics of the studied low birth
weight neonates Part (2): Hypothermia assessment sheet; and Part (3): Low birth weight neonates'
outcomes assessment sheet. Results: The study result revealed that mean axillary temperatures in
the experimental group were different after admission and 1 hour and 2 hours later. In low birth
weight, neonates' mean temperatures were significantly higher in the experimental group after
admission and 1 hour and 2 hours after birth compared to low birth weight neonates in the control
group. In the experimental group mean axillary temperature was significantly higher than in the
control group. Conclusion: Application of a polyethylene cap was an effective method to reduce
hypothermia among low birth weight neonates in the experimental group compared to low birth
weight neonates in the control group. Recommendation: The application of a polyethylene cap is
recommended for low birth weight neonates to prevent hypothermia.

Keywords