Weaning Preterm Infants at 1500 Grams From Incubators

Background: The weight at which infants are weaned from incubators varies among neonatal units. Objective: To determine the effect on weight gain, temperature stability and resting energy expenditure (REE) of weaning infants at body weight of 1500 g versus 1600 g. Design/Methods: infants will be randomized to incubator weaning at the weight of 1500 g or 1600 g. Preterm infants 1500 g birth weight, fully enterally fed, and without supplemental oxygen, at the postnatal age of 2 weeks will be included. Infants will be weaned to a warming bassinet (Babytherm 8000, Dräger) set to keep a mattress temperature of 37°C while decreasing it gradually to room temperature. Failure to wean is defined as core body temperature of \< 36.1°C. Data collection included skin and rectal temperature obtained before weaning, and at 1/2, 1, 2, 6, 24, and 48 hours after weaning, weekly weight gain (g/kg/d). REE (kcal/kg/24h) will be measured by indirect calorimetry (Deltatrac II, Finland) before and 24 hours after weaning.