The Effect of Swaddling Bathing on Oxygen Needs and Physiologic Parameters in Premature Neonates with Chronic Lung Disease (CLD): A Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: non-pharmacological and low-complication interventions in caring preterm infants in neonatal units is a vital goal. Preterm infants suffering from Chronic Lung Diseases (CDLs) require intensive care duet to their critical status and need to oxygen. One of these interventions is immersion bathing in bath tube. The purpose of the present research is to evaluate the effect of swaddling bathing on the level of oxygen and physiological status of preterm infants suffering from CLD who were hospitalized in Al-Zahra Hospital, Tabriz, Iran. Materials and Method: The present clinical trial included 50 preterm infants. To collect data, mother-infant questionnaire (completed at the onset of research), and physiological indexes form including FIO2 mean score, SPO2, body temperature, Heart Rate (HR), and breathing were used. Infants in intervention group were bathed 3 times a week (one-day interval for each session) and at 5-7 o'clock afternoon. FIO2, HR, and SPO2, using the finger probe (Masimo Set monitoring, device SAADAT Company) attached to the baby's finger, were evaluated and body temperature was measured utilizing Mercury armpit thermometer, 10 min before, and 10 min and 1 hr. after bathing. To assess the reliability, the tools were calibrated by engineers and professionals with the time of calibration certificate not to surpass over 6 months. Also, in measuring breathing rate we used the consensus among observers that was 98% according to Kappa-Cohen formula. Formal and content validity of the tool was performed with the participation of 10 professors of pediatric nursing and neonatal subspecialty. Descriptive statistics (frequency distribution, percentage, mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (T-test, X2 and repeated measures test) were used by utilizing SPSS (ver.25) software. Findings: The need to oxygen, body temperature, HR and breathing significantly reduced in intervention group when compared to the controls, while SPO2 significantly increased. Conclusion: immersion bathing can be considered as a safe and effective way of cleaning a CLD infant and helps improve physiological status of infants in neonatal units.