Hypothermia is known to be an independent risk factor for neonatal mortality in both developed
and developing settings.[1–4] Complications associated with neonatal hypothermia
include infection, acidosis, coagulation disorders, and respiratory distress syndrome.[5, 6]
Early interventions to prevent neonatal hypothermia are thus of vital import. Current practices
that are part of routine thermal care such as maintenance of a warm temperature in the deliv-
ery room, drying of neonate, use of pre-warmed blanket, radiant warmers or incubators are
often inadequate in preventing heat loss in preterm infants.[2, 3] Although infants are kept
warm by radiation, potential heat losses can also occur through convection and evaporation.
The application of plastic wrap immediately after birth can reduce immediate postnatal evaporative
heat loss..