Interaction of Neonatal Thermoregulation in Healthcare

Thermoregulation is the ability to balance between heat production and heat loss in order to maintain body temperature within a certain normal range. The provision of a thermoneutral environment is an essential component of the immediate and longer term care of newborn infants. Cold stress and hyperthermia may have serious metabolic consequences for all newborns. In the preterm these consequences may be devastating and may increase both morbidity and mortality rates.

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Thermoregulation in neonates is a function which is strongly influenced by physical immaturity, extent of illness and other environmental factors. Neonates, especially premature infants are generally at a risk of developing hypothermia within the first twelve hours of life. In hypothermia, neonates loose body heat due to four ways, convection, radiation, conduction, and evaporation. Once the heat is lost, the metabolic system of the infant is affected. In order to prevent any damage to the newborn infant, equipment such as incubators and warmers are used on a large scale.

Health professionals have a responsibility to be aware of and to ensure that the thermoregulatory needs of the infant are upheld in order to provide them with the best start possible. Current medical literature lacks well designed, prospective, randomized controlled trials for both diagnosis and intervention of providing thermoneutral environment and systematic reviews report that none of the interventions have serious adverse effects.

Measurement of body temperature in humans has traditionally been done using thermistors, thermocouples or thermopiles placed on the skin in a particular location. These sensors can be slow to respond and difficult to keep attached to the skin surface. Also, this method does not allow for simultaneous measurement of adjacent skin surfaces, thus limiting the applicability of the device. Having a device attached to the skin may alter the measure by virtue of covering the skin surface.

Although infrared thermography has been extensively used for years in the aerospace, military, industry and other fields, its use in the medical setting is relatively recent. Many clinicians and researchers have recently examined new and exciting areas with a broad range of clinical implications.

Neonatal Thermoregulation industry expected to fuel the massive growth in forthcoming years, owing to The rapid rise in the rate of birth across the globe and availability of advanced healthcare facilities for neonates

Few of Companies Working in Neonatal Thermoregulation

1. Atom Medical Corporation
2. BabyBloom Healthcare BV
3. Drägerwerk AG & Co. KGaA
4. Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited.
5. GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
6. International Biomedical
7. Maxtec
8. Natus Medical Incorporated
9. Ningbo David Medical Device Co.,Ltd
10. Weyer GmbH