Cardboard Cot: Prevention of Moderate or Severe Hypothermia in Preterm Infants Assigned to Open Crib
Cardboard Cot: Prevention of Moderate or Severe Hypothermia in Preterm Infants Assigned to Open Crib
Infants with an estimated gestational age < 36 6/7 weeks at delivery who have been in an
 incubator in the newborn ICU for at least 24 hours in settings where an incubator is
 available, or who are delivered in a setting where an incubator is not available, will be
 randomized to either standard protocol of open crib or mylar-lined cardboard cot for the
 duration of the hospital stay. Axillary temperatures will be taken 1 hr, 6 hrs, and 24 hours
 after being placed in the cot or crib, and then once every 24 hours. All other care is
 provided as standard of care.
Following parental consent, preterm infants with an estimated gestational age < 36 6/7 weeks
 at delivery who have been in an incubator in the newborn ICU for at least 24 hours in
 settings where an incubator is available, or who are in the newborn ICU in a setting where an
 incubator is not available, will be randomized to to transfer either standard protocol of
 open crib or mylar-lined cardboard cot when their temperatures are stable for transfer. The
 infants will remain in the cot or crib for the duration of the hospital stay. Axillary
 temperatures will be taken 1 hr, 6 hrs, and 24 hours after being placed in the cot or crib,
 and then once every 24 hours. All other care is provided as standard of care, including WHO
 warm chain thermoregulation guidelines of early and exclusive breastfeeding, appropriate
 bundling and Kangaroo Mother Care as continuously as possible.

 If at any point a babies becomes moderately (32.0-35.9° C) or severely hypothermic (< 32.0°
 C), an extra blanket will be added to their bodies and a hat placed on their heads.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Estimated gestational age < 36 6/7 weeks

 -  Hospitalized in the newborn ICU at University Teaching Hospital

 -  Nursed in an incubator for at least 24 hours

 -  Thought to be ready to be weaned from incubator by the clinical staff

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Major congenital anomalies

 -  Requiring ongoing respiratory support

 -  Suspected sepsis