Abstract
Objective
This study aimed to assess thermoregulation and humidity within the Skincubator—a
novel, wearable skin-to-skin incubator designed to attach to the caregiver.
Study Design
Preterm neonates (PN; born between 24 and 33 weeks gestational age [GA]) received
skin-to-skin care (SSC) either via the Skincubator or traditional SSC (t-SSC) with
continuous axillary temperature monitoring.
Results
Twenty PN were enrolled in the study and treated in the Skincubator. One couple who
consented to Skincubator care during delivery subsequently revoked their consent and
the baby was excluded from further analysis. Fifty-four paired sessions of Skincubator
and t-SCC were performed and compared for 19 babies. The average GA was 29 weeks (range:
26–32), the average weight was −1,296 ± 271 g, and the average day of life was 5 ± 2.
The temperature drop after transfer to Skincubator care was smaller than in t-SSC
(0.2°C [0.2–0.3] vs. 0.4°C [0.3–0.6]; Wilcoxon's signed rank test [WSRT], p < 0.001). The average hypothermia time per session was a median (25th–75th%) of 8.2 minutes
(0–9) for Skincubator, compared to 27.8 minutes (0–56) for t-SSC, respectively (WSRT,
p = 0.002). No baby had moderate hypothermia (35.5–35.9°C) during Skincubator care
as compared with eight babies who experienced moderate hypothermia during t-SSC (Fisher's
exact test p = 0.003). The average Skincubator humidity was 85 ± 7% and was above 70% during 93%
of the time.
Conclusion
Skincubator SSC was superior to t-SSC in maintaining PN temperature while also maintaining
an optimally humidified environment. The Skincubator may promote early SSC in very
and extremely PN. (Trial registration number MOH_2021–12–13_010470 registration date
24/10/21.)
Key Points
Early prolonged SSC improves preterm infants' outcomes but may be challenging to perform.
To mitigate several SSC barriers we invented the Skincubator, a wearable incubator
for SSC.
We have shown that the Skincubator reduces transient moderate hypothermia at SSC initiation.
Average Skincubator humidity was 85 ± 7% and above 70% during 93% of SSC time.
Keywords skin-to-skin care - kangaroo mother care - preterm neonates - thermoregulation
