INTERACTION OF CLOTHING IN THERMOREGULATION IN THE CASE OF PRETERM INFANTS

Abstract

The paper presents a study about the thermoregulation in the case of premature babies and the importance and influence of their clothing in this complex process. The temperature of premature babies has to be between 36.5 - 37.5°C but, hypothermia (axillary temperature <36.5°C) is a common situation. This is primarily due to a large surface area and metabolic mass ratio that results in heat loss. Hypothermia among new-borns is considered an important contributor to neonatal morbidity and mortality. In this context, it has been identified that clothing products are recommended to maintain the optimal body temperature for those born prematurely. The elaborate clothing products aim at maintaining a thermal comfort and certain physiological indicators. Skin temperature and tactile sensations also play an important role in the growth and development of premature babies. In this regard, 15 premature infants were used as study subjects and their temperature profile was recorded. The proposed clothes aimed to maintain the baby's temperature in the normal range and provide a pleasant aesthetic appearance, while helping to improve the medical manipulations to which these children are subjected.