Approaches to incubator humidification at <25 weeks' gestation and potential impacts on infants

Caitlin M Stoll; Pranav R Jani; Johan Ågren; Edward F Bell; Deanne L August; Carl H Backes; Matthew A Rysavy; Tiny Baby Collaborative Steering Committee

doi:10.1038/s41372-025-02294-1

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Approaches to incubator humidification at <25 weeks' gestation and potential impacts on infants

Journal article

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Approaches to incubator humidification at <25 weeks' gestation and potential impacts on infants

Caitlin M Stoll, Pranav R Jani, Johan Ågren, Edward F Bell, Deanne L August, Carl H Backes, Matthew A Rysavy and Tiny Baby Collaborative Steering Committee

Journal of perinatology

04/19/2025

DOI: 10.1038/s41372-025-02294-1

PMID: 40253558

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Abstract

As neonatal care has advanced and more immature infants are admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit, we must reevaluate fundamental management practices originally developed for infants born at later gestational ages. Studies have investigated the use of various incubator humidification levels in the care of preterm infants of older gestational ages, but evidence regarding management of ambient humidity for infants born at <25 weeks' gestation using contemporary technology is limited. Uncertainty about the best approach to incubator humidification is reflected in major variation in practice around the world. This article summarizes existing evidence about the use of humidity in incubators and its relationship with neonatal skin maturation, fluid management, temperature regulation, and morbidities. It also describes approaches to starting humidification, duration of humidification, and reducing humidification over time. It concludes with a list of important questions requiring future research.

Details

Title: Subtitle: Approaches to incubator humidification at <25 weeks' gestation and potential impacts on infants
Creators: Caitlin M Stoll - Memorial Hermann
Pranav R Jani - Westmead Hospital
Johan Ågren - Uppsala University
Edward F Bell - University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
Deanne L August - University of Queensland
Carl H Backes - Nationwide Children's Hospital
Matthew A Rysavy - Memorial Hermann
Tiny Baby Collaborative Steering Committee
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Journal of perinatology
Publisher: SPRINGERNATURE
DOI: 10.1038/s41372-025-02294-1
PMID: 40253558
ISSN: 0743-8346
eISSN: 1476-5543
Language: English
Electronic publication date: 04/19/2025
Academic Unit: Stead Family Department of Pediatrics; Neonatology
Record Identifier: 9984813158002771

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