Electrically heated blanket in neonatal care: assessment of the reduction of dry heat loss from a thermal manikin

摘要: Abstract Low birth-weight neonates are particularly at a risk of body cooling, and providing an adequate thermal environment is requisite not only for survival growth but also various physiological functions. During nursing, care, the nursed in closed incubators thermoneutrality or under radiant warm beds, which need to be operated by trained staff. In present study we have assessed efficiency electric-heated blanket preventing hypothermia neonates. The benefit has been using multi-segment anthropomorphic, manikin simulating neonate 900 g making it possible quantify dry heat losses (radiative, conductive convective exchanges). uncovered, was exposed incubator (34°C) room temperature 21°C. another experimental conditions, covered blanket, either heated 37 40°C. At temperature, results pointed out covering decreased loss 23%, 52% 54%, when electric heated, 40°C, respectively. Heating allows equilibrium reached between similar that observed thermoneutrality. from whole manikin, were identifical two situations (incubator: 9.5 W; blanket: 9.6 W 37°C 9.1 40°C). However, head always larger (6.5 W) than measured (3.3 W). suggest effective means cool environment. amount should carefully taken into account.