10: Insensible water loss of low birth weight newborns in a warmed wall incubator

Abstract

Low birthweight newborns are treated in an incubator in which the temperature of both the wall and the air are controlled. The air entering the incubator is very low. In 30 newborns (0.88-2.88 kg), all in neutral temperature, insensible wate loss is etimated by means of a continuous weighing device. Results are presented for the first and the second week of life. The insensible water loss of newborns > 1.75 kg is 19.3–26.2 g/kg/day (mean), however in very low birthweight newborns (< 1.25 kg) the insensible water loss birthweight newborns (< 1.25 kg) the insensible water loss is much larger, 54.2 ± 12.9 g/kg/day. (first week) and 42.2 ± 13.4 g/kg/day (second week) (mean and s.d.). The results are compared with reported insensible water loss of newborns in humidified conventional incubators and radiant heaters. It is concluded that insensible water loss of newborns in this type of, non humidified, incubator is lower than in conventional humidified incubators and under radiant heaters. It is suggested that this is due to the low air velocity (< 0.01 m/sec) in this incubator.

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