Insensible Water Loss in the Critically Ill Neonate

Abstract

\s=b\To quantitate radiant power and insensible water loss under phototherapy, 12 neonates were studied under radiant warmers for one hour each with and without phototherapy. Warmer power was measured by wattmeter and thermopile. Power density received from phototherapy was 4.4 mW/sq cm. Addition of phototherapy to the servocontrolled warmer caused a decrease in power density received from the warmer (17.1 to 12.9 mW/sq cm). However, the total radiant\x=req-\ power density received with phototherapy and the warmer combined (17.3 mW/sq cm) did not differ from net power density received without phototherapy (17.1 mW/ sq cm). Insensible water loss, measured with a metabolic balance, increased from 2.54 to 3.73 mL/kg/hr, with addition of phototherapy. Since the total radiant-power density did not change, mechanisms other than increased radiant-power delivery must exist to explain the increased insensible water loss observed with phototherapy.(Am J Dis Child 1981;135:516-520)

Impact of Saccharomyces boulardii on jaundice in premature infants undergoing phototherapy

“…Phototherapy increases water loss from the skin in infants. 17 Therefore, it is crucial to assess dehydration by some of the following indicators: (1) weight loss: mild dehydration (4 - 5% loss of body weight); moderate (6 - 9% loss of body weight); severe (greater than 10%); (2) urinary excretion; (3) mental status (restlessness or irritability); and (4) sunken eyes, dry lips, wrinkled skin and other clinical features. Timely feeding was ensured to prevent dehydration.…”

Does Non-ionizing Radiant Energy Affect Determination of the Evaporation Rate by the Gradient Method?

“…Phototherapy and the use of radiant heaters have been reported to increase the insensible water loss from newborn infants by approximately 40-190% (1,2,6,9,10). These reports are based on gravimetric determination of the insensible water loss from the infants, i.e.…”