Efficacy of Polyethylene Wrap in Prevention of Hypothermia in Very Preterm and Very Low Birth Weight Neonates at Birth

Background: Hypothermia is a significant risk factor for morbidity and mortality in very preterm and very low birth-weight neonates. Effective interventions to prevent hypothermia are critical in improving neonatal outcomes.Objective: To determine the efficacy of polyethylene wraps in preventing hypothermia compared to standard care in very preterm and very low birth-weight neonates.Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted from July 2023 to June 2024 at the Department of Paediatrics, Combined Military Hospital, Peshawar. A total of 198 neonates were randomly assigned to two groups: Group A (polyethylene wrap) and Group B (standard care). Axillary temperatures were recorded at specified intervals from birth to 24 hours. Hypothermia was defined as an axillary temperature <36.5°C, and its severity was classified as mild, moderate, or severe.Results: Hypothermia occurred in 85.9% of neonates in Group A and 88.9% in Group B (p=0.521). Polyethylene wraps maintained significantly higher temperatures from 45 minutes post-birth onward (p<0.05) and reduced the need for additional interventions (p=0.001).Conclusion: Polyethylene wraps effectively reduce the frequency of hypothermia-related interventions in very preterm and very low birth-weight neonates but do not significantly impact the overall incidence or severity of hypothermia.