Abstract

Introduction Nutrition problems in premature infants occur due to malformations and lack of coordination between sucking, swallowing, and breathing, and premature infants usually require neonatal intensive care unit care. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of incubator cover on the arterial O-2 saturation of premature infants admitted to neonatal intensive care unit. Keywords Material and Methods This quasi-experimental study was performed on 70 neonates admitted to NICU of Ali Ibn Abi Talib Hospital in Zahedan who were randomly assigned into incubator cover (n=35) and control (n=35) groups. Intervention was performed in the intervention group by dark cloth with one side dark and the other side light. After intervention, infants' arterial O-2 saturation was assessed. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 16 and t test and Chi-square test. Results The mean of O-2 saturation of neonates in the incubator group was 95.8 +/- 0.6 and control 93.1 +/- 1.1. Results of t test showed mean of O-2 saturation of neonates in the incubator group was significantly higher than control group (P <0.001). Conclusion In this study, incubator cover improved O-2 saturation of premature neonates hospitalized in neonatal intensive care units and stable of oxygenation.