Effective temperature under radiant infant warmer: Does the device make a difference?

Aim of the study: Newborn infants, in particular those needing resuscitation maneuvers at birth, must be readily positioned under a radiant infant warmer (RIW). However, temperature of exposure and/or level of RIW power to set up are not specified. We aimed to evaluate the temperature of exposure generated by three different RIWs at pre-selected power outputs and to assess whether the delivery room temperature may affect this condition. Methods: Irradiation temperature was measured under 3 RIWs at environmental temperatures of 22, 24 and 26 °C, chosen in a random order. Each device was set in manual control and turned on three randomly chosen power levels (0-33%, 0-100%, 33-100%) lasting 20. min. We considered 3 measurements, calculated every 1. min, at the following times: before (time 0), 10, and 20. min after the RIW was turned on at the preselected power output. Results: Temperatures under RIWs ranged from 21.5 to 44.7 °C; under one RIW, it never reached 37 °C. Thermal exposure was significantly different among the three devices based on the time of measurement and preselected power output. Room temperature did not significantly influenced temperature under RIWs. Conclusions: Exposure temperature under RIW (turned on pre-selected power outputs) significantly varies among commercially available devices suggesting that neonates can be easily put at risk of hypo- or hyperthermia. Specific dependent-machine algorithms or servo-control modes are indicated to guide neonatal temperature control at birth. © 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd.