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How can a very low birth weight premature newborn infant (< 1500 g) be kept warm in the Emergency Department?
Drying and swaddling, warming pads, increased environmental temperature, and covering with a blanket have been used to keep newborns warm. These techniques have not been evaluated in controlled trials and may not be enough to warm very small newborns. Very low birth weight infants may need additional warming techniques, such as covering the infant in plastic wrapping (food-grade, heat-resistant plastic) and placing him or her under radiant heat.
Sources
Vohra S, Roberts RS, Zhang B, et al: Heat loss prevention (HeLP) in the delivery room: A randomized controlled trial of polyethylene occlusive skin wrapping in very preterm infants. J Pediatr 2004;145:750-753.
