title: Radiofrequency exposure in the Neonatal Medium Care Unit.
abstract: The aims of this study were to characterize electromagnetic fields of radiofrequency (RF-EMF) levels generated in a Neonatal Medium Care Unit and to analyze RF-EMF levels inside unit's incubators. Spot and long-term measurements were made with a dosimeter. The spot measurement mean was 1.51±0.48V/m. Higher values were found in the proximity to the window and to the incubator evaluated. Mean field strength for the entire period of 17h was 0.81 (±0.07)V/m and the maximum value was 1.58V/m for long-term RF-EMF measurements in the incubator. Values found during the night period were higher than those found during the day period. It is important to consider RF-EMF exposure levels in neonatal care units, due to some evidence of adverse health effects found in children and adults. Characterization of RF-EMF exposure may be important to further investigate the mechanisms and underlying effects of electromagnetic fields (EMF) on infant health. A prudent avoidance strategy should be adopted because newborns are at a vulnerable stage of development and the actual impact of EMF on premature infants is unknown.
authors.affiliation: Unit Research Support of the San Cecilio University Hospital, Biosanitary Institute of Granada (ibs.GRANADA), University Hospitals of Granada/University of Granada, Granada, Spain; Department of Radiology and Physical Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Granada, Av. de la Investigación, 11, torre A, planta 11, 18016 Granada, Spain.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Calvente
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University of Granada, Spain.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vázquez-Pérez
authors.affiliation: Unit Research Support of the San Cecilio University Hospital, Biosanitary Institute of Granada (ibs.GRANADA), University Hospitals of Granada/University of Granada, Granada, Spain; Department of Radiology and Physical Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Granada, Av. de la Investigación, 11, torre A, planta 11, 18016 Granada, Spain; CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Spain.
authors.forename: M F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Fernández
authors.affiliation: Unit Research Support of the San Cecilio University Hospital, Biosanitary Institute of Granada (ibs.GRANADA), University Hospitals of Granada/University of Granada, Granada, Spain; Department of Radiology and Physical Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Granada, Av. de la Investigación, 11, torre A, planta 11, 18016 Granada, Spain; Biopathology and Regenerative Medicine Institute (IBIMER), University of Granada, Spain; CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Spain. Electronic address: isabeln@ugr.es.
authors.forename: M I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Núñez
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University of Granada, Spain.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Múñoz-Hoyos
mesh_terms: D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; D000069079:Radiation Exposure; D011846:Radio Waves; D011874:Radiometry; D013030:Spain
keywords: Electromagnetism; Incubator; Newborns; Premature infant; Radiofrequency