Evaluation of a device to detect neonatal hypothermia in a clinical setting in Ghana

Abstract

Neonatal hypothermia poses an increased risk of infection, hypoglycemia, metabolic dysfunction, and mortality, particularly in preterm or low birthweight (LBW) infants. However, early detection of hypothermia and prompt thermoregulation can mitigate these effects thus, the need for continuous neonatal temperature monitoring. The BEMPU TempWatch is a small bracelet designed for continuous temperature monitoring for neonates. When the body temperature falls below 36.5˚C, the bracelet generates an alarm sound and flashes an orange light, indicating hypothermia. This study aimed to assess the validity of the BEMPU TempWatch in detecting hypothermia in a clinical setting in Ghana using sensitivity and specificity. Additionally, the study sought to identify factors associated with misclassification using logistic regression analysis. A standardized questionnaire collected information about the mother, pregnancy, delivery, and neonate. The BEMPU TempWatch was placed on the wrist of the neonate, and over a 24-hour follow-up period, a nurse took 4-hourly axillary temperature readings using a digital thermometer. Whenever the device’s alarm sounded, a nurse immediately checked and recorded the axillary temperature, undertook necessary clinical actions, and rechecked after 30 minutes. Among the 249 neonates included in the study, 57.0% were female, 12.5% were extremely LBW, and 13.7% were extremely preterm. Based on 1,973 temperature readings, the sensitivity of the BEMPU TempWatch in detecting hypothermia was 67.8%, and the specificity was 95.9%. The sensitivity was lower among neonates being treated in incubators (58.4%) compared to those not (82.7%). Sensitivity was higher among neonates with LBW (1,500–2,500g) (73.5%) than very or extremely LBW neonates (<1,500g) (62.8%). The results showed that the BEMPU TempWatch had significantly fewer misclassifications among neonates who were not treated in an incubator, received only breastmilk, and were not born extremely preterm. Further studies are warranted to evaluate the effectiveness of the BEMPU TempWatch on neonatal health outcomes.