Abstract
Potentially excessive CO2 accumulation in infant incubators has been reported by Gale, et al (Pediatrics 60:453, 1977). Because of the potential significance of this finding, we measured C02 concentrations (% v/v) with a Beckman LB2 infrared analyzer in Air-Shield model C-86 (AS) and Vickers model 79 (V) infant incubators. Measurements were made over 90 minute periods with all portholes closed. Samples were obtained near the infant's forehead, away from the stream of exhaled gas. Each infant served as his own control in the two incubators. 15 infants weighing <3000 gms (1964 gms ± 134†) and 15 infants weighing >3000 gms (2957 gms ± 153) were studied at 30, 60 and 90 minutes. [CO2] was elevated above the nursery environmental level (0.03%) for all infants studied. Our findings are (mean ± SE†):
Potentially significant CO2 levels may accumulate when larger Infants are placed in incubators. CO2 levels were higher in the V incubator compared to the AS in both groups.
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Scharnberg, J., Garcia Prats, J., Hyde, W. et al. 1420 INFANT WEIGHT AND CARBON DIOXIDE ACCUMULATION IN INCUBATORS. Pediatr Res 15 (Suppl 4), 680 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198104001-01449
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198104001-01449