Thermographic demonstration of nonshivering thermogenesis in human newborns after birth: its relation to umbilical gases

Abstract

This study was undertaken to measure the extent of nonshivering thermogensis (NST) in brown adipose tissue of human newborns receiving routine thermal care and to examine the influence of oxygen levels at birth on the initiation of NST. Fifteen human neonates were studied in an incubator set at 31-31 degrees C. Thermographic measurements were made every 5 seconds for 5 minutes at 10 and 30 minutes, 1, 3, 6 and 24 hours, and 3 days after birth. The skin temperature and rate of heat dissipation from the interscapular area (location of subcutaneous brown adipose tissue), whole back area, and head area were measured. A heat dissipation ratio (HDR) was calculated as (A-B)/B, where A and B, expressed in Cal/cm2/h, represent rates of heat dissipation from the interscapular area and the whole back area, respectively. Umbilical arterial blood gases were measured immediately after birth. The skin temperature of the interscapular, whole back, and head areas increased significantly during the interval from 10 minutes to 1 hour after birth (p < 0.05). The skin temperature of the interscapular area was highest among the sampled sites during the first hour after birth (p < 0.05). The HDR was highest 10 minutes after birth (p < 0.05). By 1 hour after birth the temperature had reached constant values with low HDR. There was a negative correlation between the HDR and the temperature of the whole back area (p < 0.001). A positive correlation was found between the HDR within 30 minutes after birth and the PO2 of the umbilical arterial blood (p < 0.001). The data support the conclusion that nonshivering thermogenesis is initiated within minutes of birth and contributes to the elevation of body temperature. Furthermore, nonshivering thermogenesis after birth is reduced by low arterial PO2 at the time of birth.