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ABSTRACT We investigated whether altered dry heat loss could be responsible for the reported increase in energy expenditure of neonates in supine position. In 20 healthy newborn infants
(gestational age 36±2.6 wks, weight at the time of study 2.39±0.55 kg, nursed in a single-walled incubator at thermo- neutral temperature), dry heat loss(HL) was measured for half an hour,
the newborn lying in prone and in supine position at a random sequence. HL was determined from the average heatflux, measured by means of 17 heatflux transducers attached to the body surface
(yielding a sensor density of 85 /m2), and the body surface. Heat loss of newborns was 8.4 % higher in supine than in prone position (HL supine 1.80 vs HL prone 1.66 Watt/kg, p<0.01).
This increased HL in supine position was mainly due to increased heat loss from the axillary sites, dependent on arm positioning, the R lower abdomen and the limbs. We conclude higher energy
expediture of newborn infants in supine position is caused by higher dry heat loss due to increased body surface exposure. This finding implies that either newborns should be nursed in
prone position or environmental temperatures to be optimal should be adapted according to infants body position. ARTICLE PDF AUTHOR INFORMATION AUTHORS AND AFFILIATIONS * Children's
hospital, University Vienna, Austria M A Giatzi-Hawlik & G Simbruner Authors * M A Giatzi-Hawlik View author publications You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar * G
Simbruner View author publications You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar RIGHTS AND PERMISSIONS Reprints and permissions ABOUT THIS ARTICLE CITE THIS ARTICLE
Giatzi-Hawlik, M., Simbruner, G. Prone and supine positioning effects on dry heat loss of healthy newborn Infants. _Pediatr Res_ 26, 523 (1989).
https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198911000-00143 Download citation * Issue Date: 01 November 1989 * DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198911000-00143 SHARE THIS ARTICLE Anyone you share
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