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Am J Perinatol 1997; 14(9): 515-518
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-994325
ORIGINAL ARTICLE

© 1997 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc.

Relative Humidity Under Radiant Warmers: Influence of Humidifier and Ambient Relative Humidity

John H. Seguin
  • Department of Pediatrics, Columbus Children's Hospital and The Ohio State University
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Publication Date:
04 March 2008 (online)

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ABSTRACT

The effects of humidifier air temperature and flow, and ambient relative humidity (RHamb) on RH and air temperature under a radiant warmer (RW) were determined in stable and unstable conditions, using an infant surrogate. Mean supplemented RH under the RW was 36.3% at 14% RHamb and 67.6% at 55% RHamb. Humidifier temperature of 38°C and air flow of 10 LPM produced highest RHs (74.5% and 43.1% in high and low RHamb, respectively). RHamb, was highest in summer and lowest in winter in this midwest U.S. hospital, and could be predicted by calendar date (r = 0.58). Humidification equipment capabilities and limitations must be known when using this method to limit evaporative water loss.

Keywords

Humidity - radiant warmers - premature infants - evaporative water loss