In this book, the editors have succeeded in bringing together many renowned authors in the field. They discuss the physical principles of heat transfer in various heating devices used in neonatal care for temperature distribution throughout the body, such as incubators, open radiant warmers, and heated mattresses, as well as the significance of simultaneously monitoring core and periphal temperature. Alongside a treatment of extreme thermal conditions, contributions also pinpoint the optimal thermal environment. An invaluable aid for all those working in the field of neonatal care, including doctors, scientists, students, and nurses.

Under auspices of the World Health Organization, different specialists have compiled existing knowledge on thermal control of the newborn in this manual. The guidelines are designed to help program managers and health workers understand the principles and methods to prevent and treat hypothermia. Following the introduction, the 2nd chapter presents an overview of hypothermia in infants, including its definition, signs, effects, causative factors, general risk factors, distribution and incidence, and prevention. The 3rd chapter covers the species of thermal control of newborn infants. These specifics are heat production, the process of heat loss and heat gain, environmental conditions to prevent hypothermia, thermal control in practice, measuring the temperature of the newborn, special risk factors (e.g., preterm and low-birth-weight infants), and environmental risk factors. Prevention of hypothermia is discussed in chapter 4. Subtopics include the warm chain, training, preparation for home delivery, preventing heat loss at childbirth and during the neonatal period, preparation for delivery in a maternity unit, and transporting the baby. Chapter 5 (Keeping Preterm and Sick Babies Warm) is subdivided into 3 areas: in the home, in the health center, and general management of babies in incubators. The last area addresses monitoring the infant's body temperature, monitoring the incubator air temperature regularly, opening incubators to perform nursing procedures, loss of heat by radiation, effect of direct sunlight on babies in incubators, use of phototherapy, and cleaning of incubators. Chapter 6 presents guidelines on rewarming hypothermic babies at home, in the health center, and in the hospital.

This volume gives background information on thermoregulation as it applies to low birth weight and sick neonates. The physical principles of heat transfer of various heating devices, such as incubators, open radiant warmers, and heated mattresses, which are used in neonatal care for temperature distribution throughout the body are described and the significance of simultaneous core and periphal temperature monitoring discussed. The chapters have been written by several authors who are well known in the field. The book is intended for use by all professionals, including doctors, scientists, students, and nurses, working in the field of neonatal care.