The effect of delayed first bathing on skin barrier function, body temperature and comfort in preterm infants

Objective: The aim of the study is to examine the effect of the timing of the first bathing applied to preterm infants on the skin barrier function, body temperature and comfort behaviors of the newborn. Methods: This is a multicenter, single-blind and evaluator-blind prospective parallel group randomized controlled trial. The study was conducted with 80 middle and late preterm newborns who met the selection criteria and received treatment and care in the neonatal intensive care unit. In the first group (n=40), the first bathing was applied postnatal between 48-72 hours. In the other group (n=40), the first bathing was aplied between 24-48 hours. Bathing was performed by a blinded researcher. Transnepidermal water losses, body temperatures and comfort of preterm infants in both groups were evaluated by a blind researcher and a blind nurse 10 minutes before the procedure. Measurements were repeated at the 1st, 10th and 30th minutes after the procedure. Written permission was obtained from the ethics committee, institutions and families for the study. The obtained data were analyzed with percentage distributions, mean, analysis of variance in repeated measurements, bonferroni analysis as further analysis and t test in dependent groups. Results: It was found that the first bath applied to preterm newborns between 48-72 hours postnatally protected the skin barrier significantly (p<0.05). It was also found that preterm newborns in this group maintained their body temperature significantly better (p<0.05). Preterm newborns whose first bath was delayed to 48-72 hours were found to be more comfortable (p<0.05). Conclusion: In neonatal intensive care units, the first bath can be safely applied to middle and late preterm newborns after the postnatal 48th hour.