Thermal effects of hooding incubators.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effect of covering infant incubators on incubator wall and air temperatures, as well as on infant temperatures.


METHODS
A within-subject ABA design, in which blankets covering the incubators were removed for a 30-minute period and then replaced.


METHODS
A neonatal intensive-care unit.


METHODS
Eight medically stable infants (gestational age, 28-33 weeks; birth weight, 913-1,947 g; and postnatal age, 2-39 days).


METHODS
Incubator wall and air temperatures as well as infant temperatures were measured during three study conditions: incubators covered (30 minutes), uncovered (60 minutes), and re-covered (30 minutes).


METHODS
Incubator air and wall temperature; infant temperature.


RESULTS
All incubator walls decreased in temperature after being uncovered; the decrease ranged from 0.6-2.2 degrees C.


CONCLUSIONS
Although infants maintained relatively stable body temperatures during the uncovered period, the energy cost to their thermoregulatory efforts is unknown.
Nelson
H
H
Swedish Hospital Medical Center, Seattle, WA 98104.
Thomas
K
K
Stein
M
M
D001831:Body Temperature; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007186:Incubators, Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000502:physiology; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; D008297:Male; D017283:Neonatal Nursing; D013696:Temperature