The effect of polyethylene swaddle in hypothermia prevention among low birth weight neonates

Hypothermia appears predominant among low birth weight (LBW) newborns. This condition tends to instigate severe medical complications, including acidosis, cerebral hemorrhage, hypoglycemia, and hyaline membrane disease.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of swaddling technique in hypothermia prevention among LBW neonates.

This randomized controlled trial was conducted on 40 recent babies (20 controls and 20 interventions), using a pre‑ and post‑test design. In the intervention group, a polyethylene swaddling was used, and in the control group, a cloth swaddling was used. Digital axillary thermometer was used to detect the body temperature. Mann–Whitney U‑test and Wilcoxon test were employed to examine the temperature difference between the two groups.

This observation showed a trend toward improvement in average temperature in the intervention group (pre 34.8°C, post 36.4°C) compared to the control group (pre 33.3°C, post 34.9°C). There were significant within‑group changes in both groups (P < 0.05) although no significant difference was found between the two groups (P = 0.267).

Both polyethylene and cloth swaddling methods showed improvement in neonate temperature. These methods are therefore highly recommended as alternatives in hypothermia prevention among LBW infants.