Temperature management in the delivery room and during neonatal resuscitation

Hypothermia soon after delivery has been independently associated with increased mortality and other adverse clinical outcomes in newborns. This review describes mechanisms of heat loss, particularly in the vulnerable preterm infant, the significance of thermal regulation, and strategies used to create a delivery room environment that facilitates optimal temperature management. Although quality improvement initiatives have successfully reduced rates of admission hypothermia, more research is needed on whether clinical outcomes are improved with active prevention of hypothermia.