Saudi Med J. 2026 Jul;47(7):1175-1183. doi: 10.15537/1658-3175.8806. Epub 2026 Jun 8.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To compare the effects of incubator and radiant heat on physiological criteria and pain-stress levels during heel prick procedures in newborns in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
METHODS: This randomized controlled quasi-experimental study was conducted between June and December 2023 with newborns diagnosed with IHB hospitalized at a NICU in Turkey. Prior to the heel prick procedure, 72 newborns (gestational age: 37-41 weeks) were randomly and equally assigned to either a radiant heater or an incubator setting. Physiological parameters (temperature, SpO2, heart rate [HR]) and pain-stress scores of the newborns were measured and compared in both settings.
RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were found in the descriptive characteristics of newborns between the incubator and radiant heater groups. When comparing physiological parameters and pain-stress scores, there were no significant differences in SpO2, and HR, or pain-stress levels between the groups; however, body temperature was significantly higher in the radiant heater group. During the heel prick procedure, both groups showed significant changes in body temperature, SpO2, HR, and pain-stress scores across the three time points (before, during, and after the procedure).
CONCLUSION: Although body temperature increased significantly in the radiant heater environment compared with the incubator environment, this difference did not appear to play a vital role in affecting the physiological parameters of the newborn.
PMID:42293714 | PMC:PMC13264146 | DOI:10.15537/1658-3175.8806
