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The influence of ambient temperature on some commonly measured physiological variables in infants
G P Fox1, M O'Regan, T G Matthews
1Rotunda Hospital, Dublin.
Insights
Infant physiology is sensitive to ambient temperature. Room temperature significantly affects heart rate, respiratory rate, and heart rate variability, but not carbon dioxide levels. Standardizing thermal environments is crucial for future infant studies.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal physiology
- Environmental influences on infant health
Background:
- Infant physiological responses are complex and can be influenced by external factors.
- Understanding these influences is critical for accurate clinical assessment and research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of varying ambient temperatures on key physiological parameters in infants.
- To determine if ambient temperature affects heart rate, respiratory rate, heart rate variability, and end-tidal carbon dioxide.
Main Methods:
- Fifty-four infants were monitored under controlled conditions.
- Measurements included heart rate, respiratory rate, heart rate variability (long and short term), and end-tidal carbon dioxide.
- Infants were exposed to three distinct ambient temperatures: 20°C, 25-26°C, and 30°C.
Main Results:
- Ambient temperature significantly influenced heart rate, respiratory rate, and both long and short term heart rate variability.
- End-tidal carbon dioxide levels remained unaffected by changes in ambient temperature.
- Infant skin and rectal temperatures were maintained within normal ranges throughout the study.
Conclusions:
- The thermal environment plays a significant role in modulating several physiological variables in infants.
- Standardization of ambient temperature is recommended for future physiological studies involving infants to ensure reliable and comparable data.
Abstract:
Fifty-four infants underwent recording of heart rate, respiratory rate, long term and short term heart rate variability and end tidal carbon dioxide measurements at three different ambient temperatures (20 degrees C, 25-26 degrees C, 30 degrees C) under standardized conditions. The infants' skin and rectal temperature remained normal throughout the study. The ambient temperature of the room where the study was conducted significantly influenced the infants' heart rate, respiratory rate and long and short term heart rate variability but not end tidal carbon dioxide values. The thermal environment in which an infant resides has a significant influence on some physiological variables and should be standardized in future physiological studies.