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Updated: May 30, 2026
Transcutaneous Microcirculatory Imaging in Preterm Neonates
Published on: December 31, 2015
[Thermal comfort in preterm babies. Infra-red colour thermography findings. Preliminary report]
Ewa Musialik-Swietlińska1, Katarzyna Wojaczyńska-Stanek, Janusz Swietliński
1Klinika Intensywnej Terapii i Patologii Noworodka, Górnoslaskie Centrum Zdrowia Dziecka, Katowice. eswietlinska@gmail.com
Objective:
To assess the thermal comfort of clinically stable neonates with normal body temperature by using infra-red colour thermography (THY).
Material And Methods:
32 babies were enrolled in the study. The axillary temperature was maintained in the range 36.6-37.0 degrees C and the air temperature in the incubator remained within the neutral range according to Hey and Katz. Temperature distribution was measured by THY The abdomen and foot skin temperature, as well as the difference between both parameters were recorded. Thermal comfort for THY was defined as a difference between core and peripheral temperatures (Deltat) in the range of 1 to 2 degrees C.
Results:
Thermal comfort defined according to THY criterion was fulfilled only in 12 patients (37.5%). We found Deltat< 1 degree C in 14 patients (43.8%), and Deltat>2 degrees C in 6 patients (6.3%). Thermal comfort defined by standard care varied from founded by THY p<0.0001. High foot temperature >or=35.0 degrees C in THY was found as a determinant for Deltat< 10 degrees C. Multivariate logistic regression analysis found gestational age <30 weeks to be connected with the risk of hyperthermia [odds ratio 8.4 (95% Cl 1.2-61.2).
Conclusions:
We concluded that there is a risk for hyperthermia in prenaturely, immature babies when nursed in standard neutral temperature. Infra-red colour thermography gives additional information which can be used for further studies on determination of optimal thermal comfort in newborn.
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