Computerized tomography (CT) is being used with increasing frequency for the diagnosis of intracranial pathological conditions in low-birth-weight infants. To ensure reliable computer function, ambient temperature in the scanner room is maintained below 23.9 °C. This precludes the use of radiant heaters and subjects small infants to considerable cold stress during the procedure.
We studied temperature control during in-hospital transport and CT scan in 14 infants with a heated mattress as the heat source.
Patients and Methods.—Fourteen infants, with gestational ages between 26 and 34 weeks and birth weights 700 to 2,220 g, were studied two to 63 days after delivery when undergoing CT brain scans.
Eight infants received ventilation assistance during the procedure and during transport to and from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Skin temperatures were measured at six sites, and mean skin temperature was calculated with weighted factors from measurements of surface area.1 Core temperature