Effect of nappy liners on temperature stability in very preterm infants

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether absorbent liners used in posturally supportive cloth nappies influence temperature stability in infants < 31 weeks gestation. METHODOLOGY: Randomized cross-over trial conducted at King Edward Memorial Hospital for Women, Perth, Western Australia. Twenty-three infants nursed in incubators on Infant Servo Control were randomly assigned to wear cloth postural support nappies alternately with or without absorbent liners for 24-h periods over 4 days. Measurements of skin and incubator temperatures were recorded hourly. Times of all nappy changes and infant handling procedures were also recorded. RESULTS: There was no change in any temperature measurement over time, between days, or between day/night periods. Infants nursed with the liner demonstrated a higher skin temperature (0.04°C), and a lower incubator temperature (1.05°C). A drop in skin temperature of 0.02°C and an increase in incubator temperature of 0.28°C occurred following handling of infants. There was no effect due to sex, gestational age, or actual age of the infants. CONCLUSION: Use of an absorbent liner within a cloth postural support nappy promotes better temperature regulation in infants < 31 weeks gestation, by reducing incubator temperature and increasing skin temperature.