Incubator Weaning of Moderately Preterm Infants

Incubator Weaning of Moderately Preterm Infants: A Randomized Controlled Trial

The objective of this proposal is to evaluate whether weaning from an incubator to a crib at lower versus higher weight, 1600g or 1800g will result in shorter length of hospital stay among moderately preterm infants.

The hypothesis of this study is that length of hospital stay (from birth to discharge) will be decreased among moderate preterm infants weaned from an incubator to an open crib at a lower versus higher weight, 1600g vs. 1800g.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Gestational age 29 0/7 to 33 6/7 weeks at birth
• Birth weight less than 1600 grams
• Greater than 48 hours of age
• Current weight less than 1540 grams
• In an incubator

Exclusion Criteria:

• Receiving phototherapy
• Receiving respiratory support (including CPAP, ventilation, HFNC > 2 LPM)
• Receiving blood pressure support
• Designated for transfer to referral hospital while in incubator
• Known major congenital or chromosomal anomaly