Effect of Breast Milk/Formula Temperature on The Vital Signs of Preterm Infants

ABSTRACT Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of breast milk/formula milk at different temperatures prepared and given to preterm infants in accordance with a standard on the vital signs of the infant. Methods: This pretest-posttest controlled experimental study was conducted with 150 preterm infants in the NICU of a training and research hospital. Infants in experimental group 1 received breast milk/formula at 24 °C and those in experimental group 2 received breast milk/formula at 37 °C. Infants in the control group received breast milk/formula at the temperature prepared by the nurses as per routine practice with no specific instruction or intervention. The infants’ vital signs (body temperature, heart rate, and oxygen saturation) were measured and recorded immediately before feeding and at 5 minutes and 30 minutes after the start of feeding. Results: The study sample comprised 44% female and 56% male infants with a mean gestational age of 31.3±3.0 weeks. The groups were similar in terms of descriptive characteristics (p>0.05). The vital signs of infants in experimental group 2 measured at 5 and 30 minutes after the start of feeding tended to be better and more stable than those of the infants in experimental group 1 and the control group. Conclusion: Breast milk/formula given at 37 °C improved preterm infants’ vital signs. Based on these results, it can be recommended to administer breast milk/formula at 37 °C to preterm infants fed enterally.