PubMed Health⌕ Search

SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Incubators, Infant”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Radiant warmers versus incubators for regulating body temperature in newborn infants.

BACKGROUND: This section is under preparation and will be included in the next issue. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects of radiant warmers versus incubators (in the neonatal period) on fluid and electrolyte balance, neonatal morbidity and mortality. SEARCH STRATEGY: The standard strategy of the Cochrane Neonatal Review Group was used. This includes searches of the Oxford Database of Perinatal Trials, Medline, previous reviews including cross references, abstracts, conference and symposia proceedings, expert informants, journal handsearching mainly in the English language. SELECTION CRITERIA: All randomised or quasi-randomised trials in which radiant warmers are compared to incubators in a neonatal population. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Methods used to collect data from the included studies: Each author extracted data separately, then compared and resolved differences. A referee was sought for unresolved differences. Methods used to synthesise the data : Standard method of Neonatal Review Group with the use of weighted mean difference for outcome data measured on a continuous scale. MAIN RESULTS: A statistically significant increase in insensible water loss (IWL) was shown in neonates nursed under radiant warmers (WMD 0.94g/Kg/day, 95% CI 0.48, 1.41). A trend towards increased oxygen consumption which was not statistically significant was shown for the radiant warmer group (WMD 0. 27mL/kg/min, 95% CI -0.10, 0.63). A comparison of the radiant warmers with heat shields vs incubator without heat shields showed a similar trend for increased IWL in the radiant warmer group which was not statistically significant (WMD 1.00g/kg/day, 95% CI -0.10, 2. 10). No difference was shown in the rate of oxygen consumption when radiant warmers with heat shields were compared to incubators (WMD -0.05, 95% CI -0.84, 0.74). REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS: Radiant warmers result in increased IWL compared to incubators which needs to be taken into account when calculating daily fluid requirements.The results of this review do not provide sufficient evidence on important outcomes with the use of radiant warmers vs incubators to guide clinical practice. Further randomised controlled trials are required to assess the role of radiant warmers in neonatal care with particular attention to the extremely low birthweight population.

Body Temperature Regulation↗

Water requirement of premature newborn infants.

Two groups of studies related to the water requirement of premature infants are reviewed. The first examined the effects of several environmental factors on insensible water loss (IWL) and oxygen consumption of 20 low-birth-weight infants. Incubator air temperature above the neutral zone increased IWL, as did the use of a radiant heat source instead of a conventional incubator. A plastic heat shield slightly reduced IWL of infants in incubators. The second group of studies examined the effects of excess water intake in premature infants. 170 infants were randomly assigned to receive "low" (average estimated requirement for birth weight and age) or "high" (excess) volume water intake. The high-volume group became dehydrated less often but had a greater incidence of patient ductus arteriosus and necrotizing enterocolitis.

Dehydration↗

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. DESIGN: A within-subject ABA design, in which blankets covering the incubators were removed for a 30-minute period and then replaced. SETTING: A neonatal intensive-care unit. PARTICIPANTS: Eight medically stable infants (gestational age, 28-33 weeks; birth weight, 913-1,947 g; and postnatal age, 2-39 days). INTERVENTIONS: 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). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: 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. CONCLUSION: Although infants maintained relatively stable body temperatures during the uncovered period, the energy cost to their thermoregulatory efforts is unknown.

Body Temperature↗

[Surgical closure of persistent ductus arteriosus in small premature infants in an incubator].

In premature neonates a patent ductus arteriosus causes often other complications thus the immediate closure of the patent ductus arteriosus should be preferred or recommended. Performing the surgical closure of the ductus within the incubator can avoid complications during transportation from the premature neonates intensive care unit to the operating room. 25 very small premature neonates or those with another burden in addition were operated upon in the incubator on the premature infants intensive care unit of our hospital during the period from January 1987 to April 1989. No complications occurred during the operation, especially not caused by the strange circumstances for the operating team. Wound infections because of possible bacterial contamination of the incubator or the room were not observed during the postoperative period.

Ductus Arteriosus, Patent↗

Effects of low humidity on small premature infants in servocontrol incubators. I. Decrease in rectal temperature.

19 small premature infants in servocontrol incubators, whose abdominal skin temperature was 36.0 +/- 0.3 degrees C, were subjected to alternate high- and low-humidity environments. With low humidity, rectal temperature dropped significantly below abdominal skin temperature. Skin was the predominant site of evaporative heat loss. The temperature was lower on naked skin than on an area covered by adhesive tape. Thus, servocontrol with low humidity increases evaporative heat loss and engenders a cycle of events that results in paradoxical body temperature decrease as the incubator temperature increases.

Abdomen↗

Computer-assisted newborn intensive care.

A minicomputer has been programmed to aid in the intensive care of high-risk newborn babies. The computer provides 24-hour on-line access to physiologic and environmental data and controls the heating of infant incubators. The control algorithm limits fluctuations in the incubator chamber and protects the infant against escape from neutral thermal conditions. The mortality rate for 105 infants cared for using the computerized systems was significantly reduced when compared to that of 105 matched high-risk infants cared for using standard non-computer-assisted techniques in the same nursery setting.

Computers↗

Accuracy and precision of neonatal electronic incubator scales.

Measurement of weight in the neonatal intensive care unit demands accuracy and precision. To date, however, no studies exist that independently document the accuracy of infant incubator bed scales. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the Airshields-Vickers Warm Weigh internally mounted incubator bed scale with foam and water mattresses using 500 gm and 1,500 gm standard weights to ascertain the precision of electronic bed scales and to evaluate the differences between nurse weighers. Two experienced neonatal nurses evaluated new incubator bed scales. Each nurse independently collected data and kept the results masked. Eight measurements were obtained from each incubator. Results indicated error beyond +/- 2 gm at 500 gm with the foam mattress and in both weight groups with the water mattress using the Technical Error Measurement (TEM) method. This indicates that the bed scales did not perform within the manufacturer's rated accuracy of +/- 2 gm at the smallest weights found in the clinical area. Weight errors were not judged to be clinically significant by a group of NNP experts.

Anthropometry↗

Head insulation for premature infants in servocontrolled incubators and radiant warmers.

We evaluated the safety of insulating the heads of premature infants in servocontrolled thermal environments. We measured the body temperatures of premature infants (seven in incubators, seven under radiant warmers) before, during, and after application of a head-wrap made with an olefin and polyester composite (Thinsulate, 3M Co, St Paul). All infants were tested while abdominal skin temperature was maintained at a constant level by servocontrol. Temperatures of the tympanic membrane, rectum, abdomen, and heel remained constant. The insulated headwrap increased the scalp temperature of incubator infants but not radiant warmer infants. Head insulation reduced variability in scalp temperature for radiant warmer infants. We found no evidence of overheating in these infants.

Body Temperature↗

Noise pollution in neonatal units: a potential health hazard.

Hospital noise levels were measured for four consecutive days every two hours throughout the day in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), a normal nursery room and inside infant incubators when the latter were associated with different types of life-support equipment. There was a difference in the noise level between normal nursery and NICU, whereas a considerable increase of noise was recorded when the infant received supplemental oxygen, was under ventilator or when an air compressor was in operation. High noise levels were equally the same both in a.m. and p.m. hours in the NICU. As many high risk infants spend a long time in a NICU, there is an urgent need for further evaluation of noise levels and their effect on the outcome of infants.

Humans↗

Incubator noise and vibration--possible iatrogenic influence on neonate.

Analysis of noise and vibration from infant incubators (models Medicor and CN2) revealed average noise levels (peak values) of 60 dB (A-weighted) and 73.5 dB (linear) and values for vibration where the infant's head normally rests were 0.065 m/sec2 (A-weighted) and 0.14 m/sec2 (linear), and at the infants' feet were 0.105 m/sec 2 (A-weighted) and 0.58 m/sec2 (linear). On the basis of present knowledge of the physiologic effects of noise and vibration, we discuss the influence of long-term noise and vibration exposures on the neonate; they provide a threat to carbohydrate, aliphatic compound and protein-enzymatic metabolic transformations and produce changes in cardiovascular, pituitary--adrenal axis and auditory systems.

Humans↗

Mechanical vibration and sound levels experienced in neonatal transport.

Exposure of neonates to sound and to mechanical vibration was measured while transferring the neonates to a regional referral unit by ambulance and by rotary wing and fixed wing aircraft. Recordings were made during different phases of each type of transportation and were analyzed later. In the nursery, sound levels ranged from 72 to 74 dBA (A-weighted decibel level) (77 to 81 dB), while in transit, levels were higher at 78 to 99 dBA (90 to 110 dB), depending on the means of transport. Vibration was measured in the horizontal and vertical axes relative to the neonate in different frequency ranges. The vibration acceleration magnitude ranged from 0.4 m/sq s to 5.6 m/sq s, depending on the axis and type of transport; the maximum obtained was in rotary wing transport. When compared with adult tolerance levels, both sound and vibration exposure of the neonate are high and potentially hazardous. Further evaluation of vibration stress and means of attenuating sound and vibration in transport infant incubators is desirable to enhance the safety of transported infants.

Aircraft↗

Short-term effects of incubator covers on quiet sleep in stable premature infants.

UNLABELLED: Incubator covers are increasingly being used in neonatal care as part of minimal disturbance strategies. The aim of this study was to examine possible effects of incubator covers on sleep patterns in stable premature infants. Quiet sleep (QS) can be investigated by amplitude-integrated electroencephalography (aEEG) at 32-34 wk gestational age. In nine premature infants (gestational ages 26-32 wk, median 29) QS periods were measured at a postconceptional age of 32-34 wk (median 34) during two consecutive 24 h periods, one period with a padded dark cover over the incubator and one period without the cover, in a randomized order. There were no significant differences between the two 24 h periods (with incubator cover and without cover, respectively) regarding the duration of the QS periods, the percentage of QS of the total recording time (%QS) or the duration of QS intervals. However, there was a positive correlation between postnatal age in days and the mean duration of QS periods when incubator covers were used (r = 0.90, p = 0.001). When the covers were used there was a difference between the girls and the boys in the duration of QS intervals (p = 0.032); the QS intervals increased in the five girls from median (range) 63.2 (49.4-94.6) min to 77.2 (59.3-100.9) min (p = 0.043). There was no difference in the duration of QS periods between girls and boys. CONCLUSION: Incubator covers seem to have some short-term effects on sleep quality in premature infants but the clinical significance and possible long-term effects are not known.

Age Factors↗

Accumulation of carbon dioxide in oxygen hoods, infant cots, and incubators.

The concentration of carbon dioxide in the air of oxygen hoods, infant cots, and incubators was found to be as high as 1% v/v (30 times the "fresh air" level of about 320 microliter/liter). The physiological and clinical implications of the consequent long-term exposure of infants to atmospheres of such composition are discussed.

Beds↗

Reassessment of insulin effects on the Vmax and Km values of hexose transport in isolated rat epididymal adipocytes.

Effects of insulin on the kinetic parameters of hexose transport in rat epididymal adipocytes were re-examined. The transport activity was assessed by measuring the rate of uptake of 3-O-[3H]methyl-D-glucose (MeGlc) under equilibrium exchange and zero-trans conditions. The incubation was carried out at 37 degrees C in an infant incubator. During the incubation, the cell suspension (25%, v/v, in a total volume of 48 microliter) was mechanically swirled at a rate of 600 rpm (r = 2 mm). The swirling facilitated the rapid uptake of MeGlc without stimulating the basal transport activity by "mechanical agitation". The basal and insulin-treated cells were incubated under identical conditions, except for the length of the incubation period. The incubation was terminated by the addition of 350 microliters of 1 mM phloretin, which inhibited transport in approximately 0.06 s. The time course of MeGlc uptake was consistent with the view that the process was a multiple-phase reaction. The initial phase of the reaction was completed when the intracellular distribution space of MeGlc was approximately 1% of the total cell volume. Insulin (10 nM) increased the Vmax value of MeGlc uptake 16-fold in equilibrium exchange experiments and 18-fold in zero-trans experiments. At the same time, the hormone decreased the Km value of MeGlc uptake from 11.7 to 5.4 mM in equilibrium exchange experiments and from 9.7 to 4.8 mM in zero-trans experiments. It is concluded that the major effect of insulin on MeGlc uptake is to increase the Vmax value, but the hormone has the additional effect of lowering the apparent Km value.

3-O-Methylglucose↗