Maintaining Neonatal Normothermia during WHO Rec-ommended Skin-to-Skin Contact in the Setting of Cesarean Section under Regional Anesthesia

This study compared mothers’ and newborns’ temperatures (T) when the WHO recommended skin-to-skin contact (SSC) was practiced during cesarean section under regional anesthesia. 139 neonates were randomized to be left in their mothers’ arms warmed by a forced air warmer (SSC-FAW) or put in an incubator. Maternal and newborn rectal T was recorded immediately after birth, at 5, 10 and 15 minute intervals. Maternal and neonatal T was comparable between the groups. FAW is as effective as an incubator in preventing neonatal hypothermia while the mother is undergoing surgery in the operating room, while favouring SSC.