THERMAL RESPONSES AND HEART-RATES OF LOW-BIRTH-WEIGHT PREMATURE BABIES DURING DAILY CARE ON A HEATED, WATER-FILLED MATTRESS

Body temperatures, heart rates and resting oxygen consumptions were examined during routine nursing care in 12 premature babies treated alternately in incubators or on a heated, water-filled mattress (HWM). The mean temperatures were significantly higher in the axilla (0.3-degrees-C; p less-than-or-equal-to 0.05) and the foot (1.4-degrees-C; p < 0.001) during HWM care. The degree of maximal fall in various body temperatures during routine nursing procedures was the same for both treatments, whereas the time taken for the foot temperature to fall was 13 min shorter during HWM care (p < 0.001). The proportion of heart rates below 160 bpm when the babies were not disturbed was 7.4% greater during HWM treatment (p < 0.01). The resting oxygen consumption in babies treated on HWM was slightly lower (6.2 +/- 0.4 vs 6.4 +/- 0.5 ml/kg/min; p < 0.05). Treatment on the HWM seems to promote calm and comfort, since it reduces the amount of thermal stress and prolongs quiet resting periods.