Variations in incubator temperature and humidity management: a survey of …

Deguines C, Décima P, Pelletier A, Dégrugilliers L, Ghyselen L, Tourneux P. Variations in incubator temperature and humidity management: a survey of current practice. Acta Paediatr. 2012 Mar;101(3):230-5. doi: 10.1111/j.1651-2227.2011.02492.x. Epub 2011 Nov 4. PubMed PMID: 21995429.

AIM
To describe and assess routine procedures and practices for incubator temperature and humidity management in France in 2009.

METHODS
A questionnaire was sent to all the 186 neonatal care units in France.

RESULTS
The questionnaire return rate was 86%. Seventy-five per cent of the units preferred skin servo-control to air temperature control in routine practice. Air temperature control was mainly used for infants with a gestational age of more than 28 weeks and aged over 7 days of life. In general, thermal management decisions did not depend on the infant’s age but were based on a protocol applied specifically by each unit. All units humidified the incubator air, but there was a large difference between the lowest and highest reported humidity values (45% and 100% assumed to be a maximal value, respectively). More than 65% of the units used a fixed humidity value, rather than a variable, protocol-derived value.

CONCLUSION
We observed large variations in incubator temperature and humidity management approaches from one neonatal care unit to another. There is a need for more evidence to better inform practice. A task force should be formed to guide clinical practice.

Disponível em: <https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/>