Effects of early essential newborn care versus routine birth care on physiological variables and sleep state among newborn infants: a quasi-experimental design

BACKGROUND: Early essential newborn care (EENC) was introduced to medical practice in China in 2016, but the number of medical institutions that have put EENC into practice remains low due to insufficient clinical evidence and the absence of awareness among health professionals. This study aimed to explore the effect of EENC on physiological variables and sleep state among newborn infants and to provide evidence to support the implementation of EENC. METHODS: A quasi-experimental design was conducted among 182 newborn infants in a tertiary maternity hospital in China from May 2020 to January 2021. A total of 91 newborn infants were included in the intervention group, and 91 were included in the control group to receive EENC or routine birth care, respectively. RESULTS: The newborn infants in the intervention group had a lower incidence of hypothermia than those in the control group at 75 min, 90 min, 105 min, and 120 min after birth (p < 0.05). The time of first breathing after birth in the intervention group was earlier than that in the control group (5 s vs. 7 s, p < 0.05), and the infants had a better sleep state at 30 min, 60 min, 90 min, and 120 min after birth (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: EENC can decrease the incidence of hypothermia, promote the initiation of breathing, and improve the sleep state among newborn infants compared to routine birth care in China. More coaching should be provided to health professionals to promote the implementation of EENC in China. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, Retrospective Registration (27/7/2021), registration number: ChiCTR2100049231.