Abstract
A study was performed to investigate whether measurements of the evaporation rate from the skin of newborn infants by the gradient method are affected by the presence of non-ionizing radiation from phototherapy equipment or a radiant heater. The evaporation rate was measured experimentally with the measuring sensors either exposed to or protected from non-ionizing radiation. Either blue light (phototherapy) or infrared light (radiant heater) was used; in the former case the evaporation rate was measured from a beaker of water covered with a semipermeable membrane, and in the latter case from the hand of an adult subject, aluminium foil or with the measuring probe in the air. No adverse effect on the determinations of the evaporation rate was found in the presence of blue light. Infrared radiation caused an error of 0.8 g/m2h when the radiant heater was set at its highest effect level or when the ambient humidity was high. At low and moderate levels the observed evaporation rate was not affected. It is concluded that when clinical measurements are made from the skin of newborn infants nursed under a radiant heater, the evaporation rate can appropriately be determined by the gradient method.
Highlights
Phototherapy and the use of radiant heaters have been reported to increase the insensible water loss from newborn infants by approximately 40-190% (1, 2, 6, 9, 10)
A study was performed to investigate whether measurements of the evaporation rate from the skin of newborn infants by the gradient method are affected by the presence of non-ionizing radiation from phototherapy equipment or a radiant heater
Infrared radiation caused an error of 0.8 g/m2h when the radiant heater was set at its highest effect level or when the ambient humidity was high
Summary
Phototherapy and the use of radiant heaters have been reported to increase the insensible water loss from newborn infants by approximately 40-190% (1, 2, 6, 9, 10). These reports are based on gravimetric determination of the insensible water loss from the infants, i.e. by the weighing method. The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of radiant energy within the blue and infrared spectra on determination of the evaporation rate by the gradient method, in order to resolve the question as to whether direct measurements of insensible water loss from the skin of newborn infants can be made during phototherapy and treatment with radiant heaters. The temperature at each point is measured with a small, fast thermistor (M81, Siemens A G I West Germany)
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