Abstract
A Barnes M-101 Infrared Radiometer was used to map the skin temperature changes occurring on the backs of nine selected unswaddled newborn babies in a room air conditioned at 26.3°C (range 24.4–28.1°C). Polaroid photographs of the serial thermal variations observed during cooling were analysed with a densitometer to provide quantitative support for grossly evident difference in rates of cooling over the surfaces examined. In particular, not only the interscapular but also the posterior flank skin regions cooled significantly less (p < 0.05) than skin over the coccyx, deltoid, midback, and lateral flank regions. Brown fat collections have been identified in the interscapular fat pads of newborns, and thermography may prove a valuable aid in monitoring the activity of this tissue. On tghe other hand only small amounts of multilocular fat have been identified in subcutaneous flank tissue. Since in this ealy experience with thermography the flank tissue has been found to mirror the interscapular tendency to cool relatively little in cold stressed babies, continued caution must be exercized in interpreting the significance of the ‘warm nape of the newborn’ as it relates to brown fat activity. Further experience with radiometry may prove useful in clarifying this and other enigmatic problems relating to the complex flux of hear in newborn babies.
Article PDF
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Perlstein, P., Edwards, N., Courpotin, C. et al. Thermal Patterns on the Backs of Cold Stressed Babies. Pediatr Res 4, 472–473 (1970). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197009000-00153
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197009000-00153