Effect of two bathing technicues on physiologic measurement results in preterm infants

Objective: This semi-experimental, repeated measures, randomized controled trial was aimed to examine the effect of sponge bathing versus nonimmerse bathing on physiological measurement (axillary body temperature, heart rate, respiration rate, oxygen saturation) responses in preterm infants.Method: Sample was taken from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of public hospitals between February and August 2009. The sample consisted of 37 preterm infants aged between 32 and 37 gestational age, weighing 1500g or more with matching characteristics. Each bathing method was applied to babies in two days in an alternating fashion. Physiologic measurements were taken before, immediately after and 10 minutes after the bathing method. Body temperatures were measured with axillary mercury thermometer, the heart rates and oxygen saturation were measured with monitors. Respiration rates per minute were obtained by researcher?s observational counting. The written consents were taken from ethics committee, institution and the parents. Data were analysed with analysis of variance for repeated measures, further analysis was performed with Bonferroni. Dependent groups were evaluated by using t-test.Results: Results showed that both bathing methods decreased body temperatures measured immediately after the bath significantly (p <0.001). Temperature drop was significantly deeper with sponge bathing than nonimmerse bathing (p=0.002), despite an increase was observed 10 minutes later. Heart rates of infants measured immediately after the bath were significantly higher than the measurements taken before the bath and 10 minutes after the bath with both bathing methods; and there was no statistically significant difference between the two bathing methods (p<0.001). Respiratory rates measured immediately after the bath were significantly higher (p =0.000); however, respiration rates turned within 10 minutes to the levels taken before the bath. Saturation values immediately after the bath were significantly lower than the values before the bath in sponge bathing group (p=0.003); whereas, there were no significant drop in oxygen saturations before and immediately after the bath in non-immerse group (p=1.000).Conclusion: The sponge bathing should not be preferred as the principal bathing method as it causes dropping of body temperature and oxygen saturation. Therefore, the infants with a stable conditon and without any respiratory problem can safely have a nonimmerse bathing.Key words: premature infant, sponge bathing, nonimmerse bathing, physiological measurement.