• Patrick D Carroll, Craig A Nankervis, Peter J Giannone, and Leandro Cordero.
• Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Ohio State University, Columbus 43210-1228, USA.
• J Reprod Med. 2010 Jan 1;55(1-2):9-13.

ObjectiveTo compare the clinical responses of extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants resuscitated in polyethylene bags with ELBW infants who were resuscitated using traditional temperature control measures.Study DesignRetrospective cohort investigation of 70 ELBW infants who were resuscitated using polyethylene bags (study) and 70 ELBW infants (control) resuscitated without polyethylene bags matched by birth weight, gestational age and gender.ResultsInfants in the study and control groups were comparable demographically and in obstetric risk factors. Study and control infants were similar in birth weight, gestational age and low 5-minute Apgar score. Axillary temperature on admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and at 1 hour was greater in the study group as compared with controls. The incidence of grade III-IV intraventricular hemorrhage and periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) combined was decreased in the study group as compared with controls. Other neonatal comorbidities were not different.ConclusionResuscitation of ELBW infants in polyethylene bags led to higher skin temperature on admission to the NICU and at 1 hour of life. These infants were less likely to develop grade 3-4 PVL than infants resuscitated using traditional temperature control measures. No deleterious clinical effects were observed in infants resuscitated using polyethylene bags.

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