Questions
Patient Gender: Patient Age: Description of the Issue:
Answers
- Maintain Appropriate Environmental Temperature Due to the underdeveloped thermoregulatory center, insufficient subcutaneous fat, and relatively large body surface area in premature infants, their heat production is inadequate and heat loss increases, leading to easy changes in body temperature with environmental temperature. A moderate environmental temperature allows premature infants to maintain an ideal body temperature. The room temperature in the premature baby room should generally be kept between 24℃~26℃, with relative humidity at 55%~65%. Different warming measures should be provided based on the weight, maturity, and condition of the premature infant. The neutral temperature for premature infants is generally between 32℃~36℃, with the surrounding environment being closer to the infant’s body temperature for lighter-weight infants. Therefore, premature infants often need to be placed in an incubator for warmth. For infants weighing 1001~1500g, the incubator temperature should be between 32℃~34℃; for those weighing less than 1000g, the incubator temperature should be between 34℃~36℃.
- Reduce Noise Stimulus Noise can have many adverse effects on the developing brain of premature infants, causing respiratory pauses, bradycardia, dramatic fluctuations in heart rate, blood pressure, and blood oxygen saturation. It can also lead to long-term sequelae such as hearing loss and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Therefore, nursing staff should strive to create a quiet environment, such as speaking softly and lowering the volume when near the premature infant; avoiding speaking near the incubator or bedside; gentle movement, and avoiding wearing shoes with noisy soles.