Which nursing intervention most effectively prevents neonatal hypothermia?

• A. Maintain a neutral thermal environment (dry promptly, skin-to-skin contact, and warm incubator as needed)
• B. Increase room temperature only
• C. Heavy blankets immediately
• D. Delay drying and skin-to-skin contact

Answer: (A)

Preventing neonatal hypothermia relies on creating a neutral thermal environment so the baby loses as little heat as possible through evaporation, conduction, convection, and radiation. Drying promptly reduces evaporative heat loss right after birth, which is a major early source of cooling. Skin-to-skin contact, also known as kangaroo care, provides immediate warmth from the caregiver’s body and helps stabilize the infant’s temperature, heart rate, and respiratory pattern while supporting early feeding. When needed, using a warm incubator keeps the ambient environment controlled for infants who are unable to maintain their temperature on their own, such as preterm or ill newborns. Merely increasing room temperature doesn’t address all routes of heat loss, and delaying drying or covering the baby with heavy blankets can trap moisture or create heat imbalance. Combining drying, skin-to-skin care, and appropriate warming as needed offers the most effective protection against hypothermia.