• Proceedings of the KSME Conference
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• 2001.06e
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• pp.162-168
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• 2001

In the present study, flow visualizations, hot-wire velocity measurements and computational fluid dynamics were performed in order to determine complicated air flow characteristics in a neonate incubator. In this study, following conclusions can be made: (1) The flow visualization technique developed in the present study revealed an enough qualitative information for the flow field in the neonate incubator. Flow structures in a neonate incubator with a realistic three-dimensional shape was successfully visualized the present study. (2) Results from the flow visualization were relatively in good agreements with those obtained from the computational fluid dynamics. (3) Velocities very near the neonate measured by the hot-wire anemometer were relevant to those obtained from the computational fluid dynamics. (4) Temperatures were higher at the neck region and the medial aspect of both thighs, but lower in both extremities. (5) Small vortices between the neonate and the mattress might interfere with convective and evaporative heat transfers on the neonate's surface. In the fluid dynamic aspect, it is important to eliminate the formation of these small vortices for the design of incubator chamber.

• Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology
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• v.15 no.7
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• pp.1051-1060
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• 2001

Flow visualizations and hot-wire measurements on the inside flows of two different incubators are presented in this paper. An anatomically-correct neonate model was fabricated using the rapid prototyping machine, based on the 3-D scanned data. The result showed that air flow in the incubator was affected not only by the air circulation system but also by the design of incubator chamber. Large rotating motions were located around the corners of free space. A number of small eddies were found in regions of high shear flow, in areas such as that between the air inlet and the neonate. But, these small eddies were found to be stationary at that locations. Those small eddies might interfere with convective and evaporative heat transfers from the neonate. This study has led to a better understanding of flow mechanism in an incubator chamber and provided the guidance needed for the advancement of improved computational fluid dynamic models.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.192-194
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• 2003

A neonate born at 38 gestational weeks was admitted due to generalized tonic-clonic seizure and cyanosis. The neonate was born six days previously at home through normal delivery and the umbilical cord was cut using scissors sterilized in boiling water. The neonate weighed 3,180 g at admission. Physical examination revealed cyanosis, opisthotonus, trismus and reactive muscle spasms. Laboratory exam, brain sonogram and EEG showed no significant abnormal findings. Based on her history and physical examination, the neonate was diagnosed with tetanus and put in an incubator isolated in a quiet, dark room. Treatment with tetanus human immunoglobulin along with antibiotics (penicillin G) were started immediately, and mechanical ventilation, administration of neuromuscular blocking agent and muscle relaxant were also started off. The frequency of seizure episode decreased gradually, and on the 32nd hospital day, mechanical ventilatory support was stopped along with extubation two days later. Thereafter, the neonate was in continuous generalized hypertonic state and showed feeding difficulty, but there was gradual improvement. She was dismissed on the 49th hospital day and is currently under OPD follow-up, doing well with no special problems. Respiratory management is critical to neonatal tetanus. We report here a case of tetanus treated with inhibition of self-respiration, neuromuscular blocker and application of ventilator, and present this method as a useful direction for future treatment of neonatal tetanus.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.781-789
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• 2007

Purpose: The study was conducted to investigate the skin hydration level in various body sites and identify the influencing factors in neonates. Methods: An exploratory comparison study was designed to measure the stratum corneum hydration, using a National DM-R2 on the forehead, abdomen, buttocks, and the back of the hands and feet of 198 neonates including 92 premature infants. Results: The results showed 32.7%-36.5% of stratum corneum hydration for all sites. Premature infants revealed a higher hydration level on the peripheral sites (dorsal hand and feet) than those of the full-term infants, possibly resulting from therapeutic regimens including an incubator or radiant warmer. Infants in an incubator showed a higher hydration level than those in radiant warmers, suggesting more attention to fluid management for infants in the open environment. In addition, all stratum corneum hydration measurements except one, from the forehead, showed a positive correlation with postnatal age in full-term infants while showing no relation to any measurements in premature infants. Conclusion: The study demonstrated the very low skin hydration levels in hospitalized neonates, particularly in premature neonates with more susceptible skin hydration instability despite therapeutic interventions for fluid balance. More vigilant fluid management is imperative in neonates, particularly those in the open environment.

• Child Health Nursing Research
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.97-109
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• 2002

This study was conducted to understand the degree and contents of stress which the mothers of high-risk infants can be experienced from the hospitalization of ICU for their new borns, and thus to offer the basic program to he nursing intervention program for these. Subjects were the 171 mother of hospitalized newborn in NICU of 1 University Hospital in Busan from June, 20, 2001 to September, 15, 2001, who agreed to take part in this study. The instruments used in this study were Parental Stressor Scale:NICU(PSS:NICU) developed by Miles et al. The questionnaire has 4 dimensions and 45 items ; sight and sounds of NICU(5 items), babies' appearance and behavior nursing intervention(19 items), parental role alteration and relationship with their baby(10 items), health team communication(11 items). The data was analysed as average, frequency, Standard Deviation, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficient by use of SPSS/PC+. The results of this study are as follows ; 1. The total perceived stress level score of mothers of high-risk infants was slightly high(3.44±0.71). The highest scored dimension was 'appearance and behavior of the baby'(4.06±0.80), and next were 'relationship with their baby and parental role change'(3.55±0.98), 'sight and sounds of NICU'(3.22±1.01), 'communication with health team'(2.93±0.91). 2. The total perceived stress level score was significantly correlated with birth weight (F=2.35, p<.05). 3. In sight and sounds of NICU, the perceived stress level score was significantly correlated with nursing in the incubator(t=2.28, p<.05) and birth weight(t=2.26, p<.05). In summary, information about physical environment of NICU, birth weight and nursing in the incubator must be included in nursing intervention program of mother's of high-risk infants in reducing the patents stress level. And, it is suggested that there need to find the coping mechanism of mother of high-risk infants.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.903-916
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• 1999

The purpose of this study was to compare the ear-based rectal temperature measured with a tympanic thermometer with the rectal temperature measured with a glass mercury thermometer in order to test the accuracy of tympanic thermometer and to determine relationship among rectal, axilla, and abdominal temperature in neonates. The samples consisted of thirty four neonates admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit and nursery at an university affiliated hospital. The mean age of the subjects was 4.9 days. The ear-based rectal temperatures were taken with a tympanic thermometer in rectal mode (First Temp Genius 3000). Rectal and axilla temperatures were taken with a glass mercury thermometer, Abdominal temperature was continuously monitored with the probe connected to the servo controller of incubator. The results of the study can be summarized as follows : 1. Intrarater comparison : Agreement between the first and the second ear-based rectal temperature was 97% within 0.1$^{\circ}C$. 2. Comparison of ear-based rectal temperature and the rectal temperature from a glass mercury thermometer : ear-based rectal temperature ranged from 36.95$^{\circ}C$d to 37.95$^{\circ}C$, with a mean of 37.58$^{\circ}C$(SD＝0.22$^{\circ}C$). Rectal temperature from a glass mercury thermometer ranged from 36.2$0^{\circ}C$ to 37.2$0^{\circ}C$, with a mean 36.75$^{\circ}C$(SD＝0.29). The mean difference between both temperatures was 0.84$^{\circ}C$. The correlation coefficient between both temperatures was r＝0.77(p＝0.00). 3. Comparison of rectal and axilla temperature : Axilla temperature ranged from 35.8$0^{\circ}C$ to 37.1$0^{\circ}C$, with a mean of 36.55$^{\circ}C$. The mean absolute difference between the rectal and axilla temperature was 0.23$^{\circ}C$. The correlation coefficient between rectal and axilla was r＝0.67. 4. Comparison of axilla and abdominal temperature : Abdominal temperature ranged from 36.2$0^{\circ}C$ to 37.0$0^{\circ}C$, with a mean of 36.58$^{\circ}C$. The mean absolute difference between axilla and abdominal temperature was only -0.03$^{\circ}C$. Findings of this study suggest that ear-based rectal temperature overestimates the actual rectal temperatures in neonates. Therefore, the interchangeble use of both temperatures in clinics seems problematic. The site offset(adjustment value) programmed in rectal mode of the tympanic thermometer needs to be readjusted. Choosing one optimal site for temperature measurement for each patient, and using the specific site consistently would result in more consistent measurements of changes in body temperature, and thus can be more effective in diagnosing fever or hypothermia.