Mannequin-assessed dry-heat exchanges in the incubator-nursed newborn

For manufacturers of warming devices for newborn infants, knowledge of the partition of the various channels of heat transfer between the neonate and the environment is necessary to regulate them adequately. The goal of this study was to determine the contributions of the different components of dry heat exchange using a thermal mannequin that replicated a full-term neonate. Each mannequin segment could be controlled separately at a selected surface temperature. The mannequin was placed in a reclining position on a mattress in a single-walled incubator (BioMS C2750). Conductive (K), convective (C), and radiative (R) heat exchanges were measured at incubator temperatures (T alpha) of 29 degrees, 32 degrees, and 34 degrees C and at air velocities (Va of 0 to 0.7 m/sec. Conductive heat exchanges varied from 4.5% to 7.9% of total dry heat loss (H). The conductive heat transfer coefficient was 0.21 W/degree C, and the mannequin surface area in contact with the mattress was 10.4% of the total surface area (A). Under natural convection, the convective and radiative heat transfer coefficients were 4.94 and 4.77 W/m2/degree C, respectively. The radiating surface area was 78% of total surface area. Convective heat exchange decreased from 36% to 17%, and radiative heat exchange increased from 60% to 79% of total dry heat loss as incubator temperature increased from 29 degrees to 34 degrees C. When air velocity was raised, convective heat exchange increased, whereas radiative heat exchange decreased. Whatever the incubator temperature, a fivefold increase in convective heat exchange was observed when air velocity increased, whereas radiative heat exchange was unchanged. At an incubator temperature of 34 degrees C and for air velocities between 0.1 and 0.4 m/sec radiative heat exchange is the dominant mode of heat loss. The results suggest that this thermal mannequin is a good tool for assessing dry heat exchange in incubators.