Effective temperature under radiant infant warmer: does the device make a difference?
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 3, 2026

Esophageal Heat Transfer for Patient Temperature Control and Targeted Temperature Management
Published on: November 21, 2017
Daniele Trevisanuto1, Ivano Coretti, Nicoletta Doglioni
1Pediatric Department Medical School, University of Padua, Azienda Ospedaliera Padova, Via Giustiniani 3, Padua, Italy. trevo@pediatria.unipd.it
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.
Related Concept Videos
Temperature Measurement Sites
Oral: When assessing oral temperature, the thermometer tip should be placed under the tongue in the posterior sublingual pocket. It offers accurate readings and can be...
Decreased Body Temperature
Factors Affecting Body Temperature
Factors may include:
Equipments Used to Measure Body Temperature
Glass-bulb Thermometer:
Glass-bulb thermometers are hollow glass tubes with a bulb tip containing liquid such as ethanol or mercury. Historically, glass bulb mercury thermometers were the standard device to measure body temperature. Today, mercury thermometers are prohibited in many countries due to the hazardous effects of mercury and the risk of exposure if the glass bulb breaks. In general,...
Assessing Body Temperature - Rectal
Follow these steps for rectal temperature assessment:
Step 1: Perform hand hygiene and don clean gloves to prevent cross-infection.
Step 2: Position the patient in a side-lying position to better visualize the rectal...
Body Temperature

