Effect of Drying Before Plastic Wrapping on Thermal Losses in Very Preterm Infants at Birth

This is a multicenter, unblinded, randomized controlled trial comparing drying vs. not drying before plastic wrapping for the thermoregulation of very preterm infants at birth. The aim of this study will be to compare two modes of thermal management (plastic wrapping with or without drying) for preventing heat loss at birth in very preterm infants.

Inclusion Criteria:Estimated birth weight <1500 g and/or gestational age ≤30+6 weeks (and)Inborn (and)Parental consent; written informed consent will be obtained by a member of the neonatal team involved in the study from a parent or guardian at the maternal admission to the Obstetric Department.Exclusion Criteria:Major congenital malformations (i.e. cardiac disease, defects of abdominal wall, ...);Outborn;Parental refusal to participate in the study.