Thermo regulated infant warming wrapper with infrared light emitting diodes for prevention of hypothermia in preterm low birth weight babies

Abstract

Preterm born babies having low birth weight is subjected to heavy loss of heat due to inadequate fat deposit under their skin. This creates a reduction in core body temperature to below physiologically tolerable levels and eventually ends up in cold stress or hypothermia. In this paper, an improved method for providing a thermo neutral environment is provided making the best use of the thermal insulating properties of the polyethylene and polyurethane foam with embedded infrared light emitting diodes. Bench top testing shows the device has an average warming time of 15 minutes and retains the temperature to more than 24 hours. The warmer is tested to provide reliable operation for more than three-month period within which the baby is expected to gain normal weight. The efficacy, safety and performance of the device are tested as per international standards and results are produced. The wrapper can improve the healthcare of the new-born at large, especially for developing countries.