Abstract
Excessive IWL is a well known complication in prematures placed under radiant warmers. A controlled study was therefore undertaken to determine if a plastic dome would be useful in minimizing IWL. Twenty-nine AGA healthy infants with gest. age of 30.9±0.4 wks (mean±S.E.) birth wt. 1.4±.03kg and postnatal age of 8.7±2.1 days were studied. IWL was determined from insensible wt. loss measured on a Potter Bed Balance scale. Water losses from urine and stool were prevented by attaching a plastic pouch to the perineum. IWL was measured under 2 conditions in the same infant: with heat shield (Grp A) and without heat shield (Grp B). Each study period extended for 3 hrs after 30 min. of stabilization. The studies were done in an infra-red radiant warmer (Ohio) with servo-control set at skin temp. of 36.5°C. Skin, rectal, ambient temp. RR, HR and wt. loss were monitored and recorded every 30 min. Total IWL was significantly lower (p<.01) in Grp A as compared with Grp B infants (1.76±.24 vs 2.74±.3 g/kg/hr). RR, HR and skin temp. were similar in both groups. Ambient temp. was higher (p< .01) in Grp A, 34.6±.25°C. than in Grp B, 30.6±.26°C.; rectal temp. was lower (p<.01) in Grp A, 36.7±.13°C. than in Grp B, 37.2±.l°C. The lower IWL of Grp A infants may be due to a smaller skin-air ambient temp. gradient in Grp A than in Grp B. The shield may also alter air flow pattern, resulting in an insulating layer of saturated air over the baby which reduces evaporation from the skin.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.