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Improving thermoregulation in transported preterm infants

Journal of Perinatology volume 41, pages 356–357 (2021)Cite this article

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We thank Glenn et al. for reporting their successful efforts to assure normothermia among low birth weight preterm infants during interhospital transport [1]. In addition to the interventions they effectively used to maintain normal body temperature, we suggest that, occasionally, one additional practice can be beneficial. Specifically, we submit that among hemodynamically unstable low birth weight neonates who receive one or more intravenous fluid boluses during transport, the practice of bringing the fluid to 37 °C with a point-of-care in-line fluid warmer has advantages over bolusing room-temperature fluid.

Recently, Keir et al. reported results of an international observational analysis of fluid bolus therapy for neonates [2]. They found wide variations in practice, however the most common fluid used was 0.9% sodium chloride in a volume of 10 mL/kg body weight administered over 30 min. Although the percentage of neonates receiving a bolus during interhospital transport was not listed, the majority of such boluses were given on the day of birth. It was not reported whether warming the fluid to physiological temperature was a consideration.

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References

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah Health, Salt Lake City, UT, USA

    Timothy M. Bahr, Mariana C. Baserga & Robert D. Christensen

  2. AirMed Perinatal Transport Team, University of Utah Hospital, Salt Lake City, UT, USA

    Becky B. Kerry

  3. NICU Medical Director, and Medical Director AirMed Perinatal Transport Team, University of Utah Hospital, Salt Lake City, UT, USA

    Mariana C. Baserga

  4. Women and Newborns Clinical Program, Intermountain Healthcare, Salt Lake City, UT, USA

    Robert D. Christensen

  5. Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah Health, Salt Lake City, UT, USA

    Robert D. Christensen

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  1. Timothy M. Bahr
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  2. Becky B. Kerry
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  3. Mariana C. Baserga
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  4. Robert D. Christensen
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Correspondence to Timothy M. Bahr.

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Bahr, T.M., Kerry, B.B., Baserga, M.C. et al. Improving thermoregulation in transported preterm infants. J Perinatol 41, 356–357 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41372-020-00812-x

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