Rebreathing potential of infant mattresses and bedcovers.
OBJECTIVE
To establish the CO2 dispersion and retention properties of some mattresses and bed coverings commercially available in Australia.


METHODS
Five mattresses were studied in (i) an in vivo model in which an infant's head was covered by a headbox, rebreathing was allowed to occur, and the final steady state CO2 concentration was measured; and (ii) an in vitro model in which 5% CO2 in a headbox was allowed to disperse, and the time taken for the concentration to reach 1% was measured. Five types of bedcover were studied in (i) an in vivo model in which an infant's head was covered by a bedcover and the final steady state CO2 concentration was measured; and (ii) an in vitro model in which 5% CO2 under a bedcover was allowed to disperse, and the time taken for the concentration to reach 1% was measured.


RESULTS
The steady state CO2 concentrations ranged from 0.6% to 3.0% for the mattresses (P < 0.05). The time for CO2 to disperse ranged from 5.5 min to 30.4 min (P < 0.05). Steady state CO2 concentrations ranged from 2.5% to 3.6% for the bedcoverings (P > 0.05). The time for CO2 to disperse ranged from 5.4 min to 7.7 min (P > 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Some commercial cot mattresses and bedcoverings allow high concentrations of CO2 to accumulate in rebreathing environments. Some mattress types studied were more diffusive to CO2, whereas there was no difference between the bedcovers studied. This may have implications for vulnerable infants at risk of sudden infant death syndrome.
Colditz
P B
PB
Perinatal Research Centre, University of Queensland, Royal Women's Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. p.colditz@mailbox.uq.edu.au
Joy
G J
GJ
Dunster
K R
KR
D001512:Bedding and Linens / Q000592:standards*; D001513:Beds / Q000592:standards*; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000032:analysis*; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D015370:Infant Equipment / Q000592:standards*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D016684:Prone Position; D011793:Queensland; D012119:Respiration; D012307:Risk Factors; D013398:Sudden Infant Death / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control
D002245:Carbon Dioxide