Thermal Stability of the Premature Infant in Neonatal Intensive Care

Hypothermia continues to be a problem for premature infants being cared for in neonatal intensive care because care and procedures expose infants to cold environmental temperatures and infants have immature thermoregulation. Researchers continue to study this problem in order to optimize care with evidence based thermal practices. This paper reviews current research and recommendations to give nurses evidence to formulate thermal stability guidelines for premature infants as well as areas where more research is needed.