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A Double-Walled Incubator Alters the Partition of Body Heat Loss of Premature Infants
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

A Double-Walled Incubator Alters the Partition of Body Heat Loss of Premature Infants

Edward F Bell and Gladys R Rios
Pediatric research, Vol.17(2), pp.135-140
02/1983
DOI: 10.1203/00006450-198302000-00011
PMID: 6402753
url
https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198302000-00011View
Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

Partitional calorimetry was used to assess the influence of a double-walled incubator (Air-Shields C-86 Isolette) on the body heat loss of eight premature newborn infants (birth weights 1.44-1.89 kg, ages 6-19 days). Each infant was studied in the same incubator with and without the inner wall. Incubator heater output was regulated by servocontrol to maintain the abdominal skin temperature at 36.5 degrees C. Operative environmental temperature was the same (mean 33.0 degrees C) in both incubators. There were no differences in body temperatures, oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide production, respiratory quotient, or evaporative water and heat losses. The double-walled incubator reduced radiant heat loss but increased convective heat loss, so that the total rate of body heat loss was unchanged.

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