Prevention of hypothermia, in the immediate neonatal period, in infants with gestational age ≤28 weeks: a comparative study of the effectiveness of two models of polyethylene bags
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN13184012 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN13184012 |
| Protocol serial number | N/A |
| Sponsor | Vygon (Portugal) |
| Funder | Vygon (Portugal) |
- Submission date
- 16/02/2016
- Registration date
- 19/02/2016
- Last edited
- 19/02/2016
- Recruitment status
- No longer recruiting
- Overall study status
- Completed
- Condition category
- Neonatal Diseases
Plain English summary of protocol
Background and study aims
Hypothermia occurs when body temperature drops below 35C (95F). One of the most effective ways to prevent hypothermia in newborn infants of extremely low birth weight is to immediately place them in a polyethylene bag, covering the trunk and limbs, covering the head with a wool cap or the bag itself. The polyethylene bags used are usually sterile bags used for packaging or organs or for preserving food, which were not originally designed for protection of the newborn. They are unadjusted for newborn containment, in particular of the head, where significant heat loss occurs. A polythene bag specifically designed for this purpose has recently been marketed, which fits easily on the body surface of the newborn, in particular the head. The aim of this study is to compare the effectiveness of two polyethylene bags for the prevention of hypothermia after birth in infants with gestational age ≤28 weeks.
Who can participate?
Newborns with gestational age ≤28 weeks
What does the study involve?
Newborns are randomly allocated to be placed either in the new bag or the usual bags. The effectiveness of the two bags at preventing hypothermia is determined by measuring the skin temperature of the newborns on admission to the neonatal intensive-care unit (NICU).
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
We expect that there will be less heat loss (higher skin temperature) with the new bag compared with the usual bag, leading to higher survival rates and other better outcomes. We do not expect any possible risk, as it is currently accepted practice to put preterm babies in plastic bags (face excluded) as this has been proved to be better than no bag.
Where is the study run from?
Maternidade Dr. Alfredo Da Costa and Hospital Professor Doutor Fernando Fonseca and Hospital Professor Doutor Fernando Fonseca (Portugal)
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
March 2016 to August 2018
Who is funding the study?
Vygon (Portugal)
Who is the main contact?
Dr Eduardo Fernandes
Contact information
Scientific
Maternidade Dr. Alfredo Da Costa
Rua Viriato
Lisbon
1069-089 Lisbon
Portugal
 ORCID ID |
0000-0001-5064-7505 |
|---|
Study information
| Primary study design | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Study design | Interventional clinical multicenter randomized prospective controlled open-label study |
| Secondary study design | Randomised controlled trial |
| Study type | Participant information sheet |
| Scientific title | Prevention of hypothermia, in the immediate neonatal period, in infants with gestational age ≤28 weeks: a comparative study of the effectiveness of two models of polyethylene bags |
| Study objectives | The hypothesis of the study is that it will be possible to obtain a significantly higher skin temperature (study of superiority) in newborns with Neohelp TM bag (intervention group) compared to the usual, single wall, bags (control group). |
| Ethics approval(s) | 1. Ethics Committee of Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Central, 13/01/2016, ref: 255/2015 2. Ethics Committee of Professor Fernando Fonseca Hospital, 26/11/2015 |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | Prevention of hypothermia, in the immediate neonatal period, in infants with gestational age ≤28 weeks |
| Intervention | Informed consent will be obtained from one of the parents before birth.
Randomization (1: 1) of newborns, for one of the two groups, will be performed immediately before delivery, through closed opaque envelope opening, numbered sequentially, which contains the assigned study group (intervention or control), obtained by table of random numbers generated by computer (variable block randomization for 2 to 4). Concealment of the intervention is not possible. Newborn twins will be randomized individually. After childbirth and verifying the absence of exclusion criteria, the only difference in care between the two groups is the intervention: newborns randomized to the intervention group are placed immediately, without drying, in Neohelp TM bag and the newborns randomized to the control group are placed immediately, without drying, in the usual bags, with drying and head cover with a cap. The remaining practices, stabilization/resuscitation, transport to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and routine care are determined by the usual practice of the units and will be the same in the two groups. After admission to the NICU, removing the polyethylene bag is held after the placement of central pathways and stabilization of body temperature (36.5-37,5ºC) in the incubator with 85% humidity. The following variables will be recorded and monitored: 1. Delivery room ambient temperature (°C), immediately before the birth, with environmental pattern thermometer 2. Maternal temperature at delivery (°C) 3. Date and time of birth (hh:mm) 4. Time (hh:mm) and skin temperature (°C) of newborn in admission on the NICU, using skin temperature sensor, placed in the liver area 5. Newborn’s temperature (° C) 1 hour after admission 6. Gestational age (weeks and days) 7. Birth weight (grams) 8. Sex 9. Twinning and birth order 10. Type of delivery (cesarean section or vaginal) 11. Maternal fever (> 37.5 ° C) 12. Chorioamnionitis 13. Tracheal intubation at birth 14. Need of advanced resuscitation at birth (cardiac massage, adrenaline, umbilical catheterization) 15. Worst pH and base deficit in the first 6 hours 16. Maximum O2 needed in the first 24 hours 17. Number of days of O2 supplement 18. Number of days of invasive ventilation 19. Number of days of non-invasive ventilation 20. Hypoglycemia during the first 24 hours of life (<45 mg/dl) 21. Hypotension in the first 24 hours of life (TAM <IG in weeks) 22. Patent ductus arteriosus with hemodynamic repercussion 23. Necrotizing enterocolitis (modified Bell’s criteria) 24. Isolated gastrointestinal perforation 25. Hyaline membrane disease 26. Pulmonary hemorrhage 27. Pneumothorax 28. Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (need for supplemental O2 at 36 weeks of corrected age, in association with radiological characteristics changes) 29. Intraventricular hemorrhage (grade according to Volpe classification) 30. Cystic periventricular leukomalacia (De Vries classification) 31. Retinopathy of prematurity (grade according to International Classification of retinopathy of prematurity) 32. Late sepsis (with isolation in blood culture) 33. Hospital stay 34. Mortality during hospitalization 35. Cause of death (congenital anomaly, extreme prematurity, infectious, neurological, cardiopulmonary, gastrointestinal, other) The duration of follow-up will be until hospital discharge. |
| Intervention type | Device |
| Phase | |
| Drug / device / biological / vaccine name(s) | |
| Primary outcome measure(s) |
The effectiveness of the two polyethylene bag models in the prevention of neonatal hypothermia immediately after birth by measuring skin temperature of newborns on admission to the NICU |
| Key secondary outcome measure(s) |
Comparison of the two groups for the following secondary variables related with hypothermia: |
| Completion date | 31/08/2018 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Patient |
|---|---|
| Age group | Neonate |
| Sex | All |
| Target sample size at registration | 80 |
| Key inclusion criteria | 1. Newborn infants with gestational age between 24 weeks and 0/7 days and 28 weeks and 0/7 days, according to the best obstetric estimate 2. Born in Dr. Alfredo da Costa Maternity and Professor Dr. Fernando Fonseca Hospital 3. With informed consent |
| Key exclusion criteria | 1. Newborns with congenital anomalies not covered by skin (gastroschisis, myelominingocele) or with skin lesions that prevent the skin covering with polyethylene bag 2. Deceased in the delivery room |
| Date of first enrolment | 01/03/2016 |
| Date of final enrolment | 28/02/2018 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- Portugal
Study participating centres
Lisbon
1069-089 Lisbon
Portugal
Lisboa
2720-276 Amadora
Portugal
Results and Publications
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | No |
|---|---|
| IPD sharing plan summary | Data sharing statement to be made available at a later date |
| IPD sharing plan |
Study outputs
| Output type | Details | Date created | Date added | Peer reviewed? | Patient-facing? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Participant information sheet | Participant information sheet | 11/11/2025 | 11/11/2025 | No | Yes |
