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Preterm thermal care — DIPIMC MCQ

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HardPaediatric and Obstetric EmergenciesPreterm thermal careDIPIMCDipIMC

There is a precipitous delivery at around 30 weeks of gestation in a cold ambulance. The tiny preterm baby is breathing and needs thermal protection.

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

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Correct answer: A — Place the baby, without drying the body, into a food-grade plastic bag or wrap and keep the head covered.

Very preterm infants lose heat rapidly, so placing the baby, without drying the body, into a plastic bag or wrap with the head covered preserves temperature during transfer. Bathing and vigorous drying increase heat and evaporative losses. Cold stress markedly worsens neonatal outcomes, so warming is not deferred.

Reference: Resuscitation Council UK Guidelines (2025)