Whilst hazards associated with intubation are known we describe a previously unreported overheating in LBL. 21 of the 22 NICUs in Australia use LBL and 1 uses fibreoptic laryngoscope (FL). During a recent resuscitation of a baby in NICU we left a LBL inadvertently switched on for a few minutes. On picking up the laryngoscope the light bulb was burning hot. We therefore examined the temperature profiles of 9 LBLs + 1 FL in current use.

We measured the temp. of the light bulb at 1 min. intervals for 3 mins. from when the laryngoscope was switched on. There was a rise in temp. at 1min. to a max. 70°C and a further rise in temp. at 2 mins. to a maximum of 78° C; hot enough to evoke a painful withdrawal when placed on the palms of the investigators. The temp of FL was unchanged (bottom graph).Figure

figure 1

We described a baby who may have sustained a oropharyngeal burn from an overheated LBL. Such injuries may have passed undetected as examination of oropharynx is not routinely done. Conclusion: The temperature of LBLs, in contrast to FL, can be hot enough to burn the oropharynx in a newborn baby. All LBLs must not be switched on for> 1 minute.