Abstract
Radiative heat loss is an important mode of heat loss in convectively heated incubators. The “Transparent Radiant Hood Warmer” (Air Shields Vickers), a device that heats the roof of the Isolette C100 incubator, was used to study the response of 11 healthy, term infants exposed to an isolated change in roof temperature (Troof,°C) at stable ambient air temperature (Tamb, °C) and humidity (RH,%).
Respiratory water loss (RWL,mg/kg min), oxygen consumption (VO2, ml/kg min), transepidermal water loss (TEWL, g/m2 h), skin blood flow (Qs, %. intervall A=100%). skin (Ts, °C) and central body (Tc, °C) temperatures were continuously monitored. After an interval without active heating of the incubator roof (interval A), the roof was heated to 33°C (interval B) and then to 36°C (interval C). Mean values for each interval, including convective (Hconv W-/m2 °K) and radiative (Hrad, W/m2 °K) heat loss, are given in the table (*= p<0.01, compared to interval A).
Conclusion: Warming the incubator roof results in a marked decrease in radiative heat loss, and an increase in skin and central body temperatures, without any significant change in skin blood flow, respiratory water loss, oxygen consumption or transepidermal water loss.
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Sjörs, G., Hammarlund, K., Kjartansson, S. et al. THERMAL BALANCE IN TERM INFANTS NURSED IN AN INCUBATOR WITH A RADIATIVE HEAT SOURCE. Pediatr Res 32, 631 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199211000-00160
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199211000-00160