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Thermal Stability and Transition Studies With a Hybrid Warming Device for Neonates

Journal of Perinatology volume 21, pages 167–173 (2001)Cite this article

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The use of both warmer beds and incubators is common in neonatal intensive care units (NICU), and transferring between these two warming devices is a routine and necessary event. This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of a new hybrid-warming device, the Versalet™, in transitioning a preterm animal from a warmer bed to an incubator mode and back.

STUDY DESIGN: Nine premature lambs were randomized, following delivery, to receive thermal support from a conventional warming bed and an incubator (control group), or from the Versalet™ (study group) in the warmer bed and incubator modes. Core and various surface temperatures, as well as physiological parameters were measured first during warming in the radiant warmer bed mode, Versalet™ or Resuscitaire™ and then during transition to the incubator mode, Versalet™ or Isolette™, and then back to the warmer bed mode.

RESULTS: The animals remained stable during all the transitions. Despite careful planning, adverse events occurred in the control group during transfers. There were no significant differences in the temperature or physiologic profiles during any of the transitions in either group.

CONCLUSION: Compared with the standard warming technique used in NICUs (separate warmer bed and incubator), the Versalet provides similar thermal and cardiovascular stability without adverse events during transition to different modes of warming. The degree to which this device would contribute to ease of management and improved outcomes in humans needs to be evaluated in a clinical trial.

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Acknowledgements

We greatly appreciate the support of Dr Elizabeth Zola and Ross Pharmaceuticals for the generous donation of Survanta™, exogenous surfactant.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Thomas Jefferson University Hospital (J. S. G., S. M. T.), Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA

    Jay S Greenspan MD & Suzanne M Touch MD

  2. Temple University School of Medicine (A. B. C., M. R. W., T. H. S.), Philadelphia, PA

    Aaron B Cullen MD, PhD candidate, Marla R Wolfson PhD & Thomas H Shaffer PhD

Authors
  1. Jay S Greenspan MD
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  2. Aaron B Cullen MD, PhD candidate
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  3. Suzanne M Touch MD
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  4. Marla R Wolfson PhD
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  5. Thomas H Shaffer PhD
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Supported in part by the Infant Care Initiative grant from Hill-Rom Air-Shields.

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Greenspan, J., Cullen, A., Touch, S. et al. Thermal Stability and Transition Studies With a Hybrid Warming Device for Neonates. J Perinatol 21, 167–173 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jp.7200513

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jp.7200513

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