Abstract
VLBW infants are frequently nursed naked in incubators. A plastic shield or clothing will reduce insensible water loss (IWL) radiant heat loss and caloric expenditure. We studied 6 VLBW infants (680-1300g, gestation 28-31 wks) with and without clothes to assess the effect on growth. To enter the study, infants had to have regained their birth weight and be thriving. They were nursed in servocontrolled incubators, relative humidity 25-401 and abdominal skin temperature was maintained at 36.5°C. Infants were studied for one week naked (diapers only) and one week clothed (shirts, socks, caps), the order being randomized using a balanced latin square design and each serving as his own control. Caloric intake per kg body weight was constant for each study period. Mean weight gain over one week when clothed was 157±28g (SD) versus 97±44g (SD) when naked (p<0.05). No significant differences were found in length, head circumference or skinfold thickness measured at 15 and 60 seconds using Harpenden calipers. (The Δ skinfold thickness at 15-60 seconds reflects subcutaneous interstitial water and that at 60 seconds subcutaneous fat.)
These data suggest that clothing VLBW infants reduces caloric expenditure and has a significant effect on their weight gain. This gain probably represents an increase in tissue mass and not water retention.
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Marks, K., Uhrmann, S., Friedman, Z. et al. THE EFFECT OF CLOTHING ON THE GROWTH OF VERY LOW BIRTHWEIGHT (VLBW) INFANTS. Pediatr Res 11, 537 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197704000-01006
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197704000-01006