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

Abstract 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.