title: Assessment of radiant temperature in a closed incubator.
abstract: In closed incubators, radiative heat loss (R) which is assessed from the mean radiant temperature (Tr) accounts for 40-60% of the neonate's total heat loss. In the absence of a benchmark method to calculate Tr--often considered to be the same as the air incubator temperature-errors could have a considerable impact on the thermal management of neonates. We compared Tr using two conventional methods (measurement with a black-globe thermometer and a radiative "view factor" approach) and two methods based on nude thermal manikins (a simple, schematic design from Wheldon and a multisegment, anthropometric device developed in our laboratory). By taking the Tr estimations for each method, we calculated metabolic heat production values by partitional calorimetry and then compared them with the values calculated from V(O2) and V(CO2) measured in 13 preterm neonates. Comparisons between the calculated and measured metabolic heat production values showed that the two conventional methods and Wheldon's manikin underestimated R, whereas when using the anthropomorphic thermal manikin, the simulated versus clinical difference was not statistically significant. In conclusion, there is a need for a safety standard for measuring TR in a closed incubator. This standard should also make available estimating equations for all avenues of the neonate's heat exchange considering the metabolic heat production and the modifying influence of the thermal insulation provided by the diaper and by the mattress. Although thermal manikins appear to be particularly appropriate for measuring Tr, the current lack of standardized procedures limits their widespread use.
authors.affiliation: Unité de Recherche PériTox EA 4285-UMI 01 INERIS, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Picardie Jules Verne, 3 rue des Louvels, 80036, Amiens Cédex1, France. pauline.decima@u-picardie.fr
authors.forename: Pauline
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Décima
authors.forename: Erwan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Stéphan-Blanchard
authors.forename: Amandine
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pelletier
authors.forename: Laurent
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ghyselen
authors.forename: Stéphane
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Delanaud
authors.forename: Loïc
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dégrugilliers
authors.forename: Frédéric
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Telliez
authors.forename: Véronique
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bach
authors.forename: Jean-Pierre
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Libert
mesh_terms: D001833:Body Temperature Regulation; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D004780:Environment, Controlled; D004867:Equipment Design; D005602:France; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007186:Incubators, Infant / Q000592:standards; D007223:Infant; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D019102:Infant, Very Low Birth Weight; D008348:Manikins; D008422:Materials Testing; D008954:Models, Biological; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D012881:Skin Temperature; D016683:Supine Position; D013696:Temperature; D022722:Thermogenesis; D013817:Thermography / Q000592:standards; D013821:Thermometers