Do premature babies have to be placed in an incubator?
Apr 18, 2023
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Ma Yan
Introduction
Premature infants do not necessarily need to be placed in incubators; the decision should be based on gestational age and the infant's condition. If a premature infant has a gestational age of 35 weeks, weighs 2000 g, or even more than 2500 g, and is in good condition, an incubator is usually not required. However, if the gestational age is before 35 weeks, especially less than 28 weeks, when organ function and adaptability are poor, the infant should be placed in an incubator.
Preterm infants do not necessarily need to be placed in incubators; the decision should be based on the specific gestational age and condition of the infant.
1. Not required
Preterm infants refer to live-born babies delivered before 37 completed weeks of gestation. If a preterm infant is born at 35 weeks' gestation, weighs 2000g or more—especially over 2500g—and is in good general condition, an incubator is usually not necessary. Adequate wrapping to maintain body temperature is sufficient.
2. Required
If the gestational age is less than 35 weeks, especially under 28 weeks, the infant's organ function and adaptability are generally poor, making them prone to neonatal cold injury syndrome (neonatal scleredema). In such cases, placement in an incubator is necessary to maintain proper body temperature and humidity, thereby preventing neonatal cold injury syndrome.
After birth, preterm infants require careful thermal management to avoid adverse effects on growth and development.
