WB0408       Fetal and Thermal Regulation

Reading Material

Objectives

1.      Compare and contrast the different mechanisms of heat transfer

2.      Discuss the physiology of thermal response in the fetus and neonate

3.      Describe the ecology of human incubation in the fetus and neonate

4.      Summarize the thermal mechanisms involved with conventional    

         convection warmed incubators

5.      Review thermal mechanisms of open radiant warmers

6.      Identify special incubator strategies and clinical scenario in

         thermoregulation management

Content Outline

1.       Mechanisms of heat transfer

          1.1     Conduction

          1.2     Convection

                   1.2.1  Natural convention

                   1.2.3  Force air convention

          1.3     Radiation

          1.4     Evaporation

2.       Physiology of Thermal Response

          2.1     Components of fetal thermoregulation

          2.2     Cold stress response during transition                         

                   from the uterine environment

          2.3     Interventions for cold stress

3.       Ecology of Human Incubation

          3.1     Heat balance equation

          3.2     Thermal Neutral concept

4.       Conventional Convection-Warmed Incubators

          4.1     Air vs. skin temperature servocontrol

          4.2     Role of evaporation and humdification

          4.3     Radiant heat transfer

          4.4     Incubator homethermy

5.       Open Radiant Warmers

          5.1     Component functions

          5.2     Insensible water loss

          5.3     Metabolic rate

          5.4     Thermal neutral temperature

6.       Special Strategies and Situations

          6.1     Plastic body hoods as heat shields

          6.2     Occlusive plastic blankets or bags

          6.3     Semiocclusive artificial skin

          6.4     Kangeroo care

          6.5     Special thermal needs of extremely

                   low birthweight neonates