INFLUENCE OF THE FIRST BATH ON BODY TEMPERATURE IN NEWBORNS

Abstract

Introduction: Numerous factors cause temperature imbalance in newborns during the adaptation period. Hypothermia in a newborn is defined as a body temperature below 36.5°C. It is classified as mild, moderate and severe. It is often represented in the early neonatal period and has an impact on morbidity in newborns. One of the causes of hypothermia is the first bath in the maternity ward. According to WHO recommendations, the first bath of newborns in the maternity hospital should be delayed for at least 24 hours. The aim of the study is the influence of the first bath on the BT of the newborn. Material and Methods: Measurement of body temperature was performed with a digital thermometer. The study included term, healthy newborns. Hypothermic newborns were warmed under a radiation heater until thermostabilizing, bathed with running water, with a temperature of 35-37 °C, for no more than 5 minutes in a period of 4-6 hours after birth. BT was measured hourly, 20 minutes after bathing and hourly until thermostabilizing under a radiant heater. Results: In a study of 80 newborns examined, 52 met the criteria. Upon admission to the Basic Care Department, 61% of the examined newborns were hypothermic - 29 mildly hypothermic, 3 moderately hypothermic. 50% of newborns born with vaginal birth on admission to BCD were hypothermic, and 80% of those born by caesarean section. After 2 hours of admission to Basic Care Department, all neonates were thermostabilized except of 1 neonate (with borderline maturity). 20 minutes after bathing, 58% of newborns were hypothermic (29 mildly hypothermic, 1 with moderate hypothermia). Conclusion: Thermal adaptation is faster in more mature newborns and in newborns born by vaginal delivery. Early first bath of term healthy newborns leads to mild hypothermia. Postponing of the first bath may be a good option to reduce hypothermia.