USE OF INCUBATOR

INCUBATOR
• An incubator (or open
warmer or isolette) is an
apparatus used to
maintain environmental
conditions suitable for
a neonate (newborn
baby). It is used
in preterm births or for
some ill full-term babies.
 Possible functions of a neonatal incubator
are:
OXYGENATION, through oxygen supplementation by
head hood or nasal cannula, or even continuous
positive airway pressure (CPAP) or mechanical
ventilation. Infant respiratory distress syndrome is
the leading cause of death in preterm infants, and
the main treatments are CPAP, in addition to
administering surfactant and stabilizing the blood
sugar, blood salts, and blood pressure.
 • Observation:
Possible functions of a neonatal
Modern neonatal
intensive care • Protection from cold
involves temperature,
sophisticated infection, noise,
incubator are:

measurement of drafts and excess

temperature, handling:
respiration, cardiac
function, oxygenatio Incubators may be
n, and brain activity. described
as bassinets enclose
d in plastic, with
climate control
equipment designed
to keep them warm
and limit their
exposure to germs.
 • Provision of nutrition,
through intravenous cath
Possible functions of a neonatal
eter or NG tube.
• Administration
of medications.
• Maintaining fluid
incubator are:

balance by providing fluid

and keeping a high air
humidity to prevent too
great a loss from skin and
respiratory evaporation.
• After an initial resuscitation attempt,
newborns may be cared for in
incubators. The temperature of
incubators varies with the amount of
time portholes remain open and the
temperature of the area in which the
incubator is placed.
• Placing it in direct sunlight or near a
warm radiator can increase the internal
temperature must be checked at
frequent intervals to be certain the
temperature level designated is being
maintained.
• Use of an additional acrylic shield inside
the incubator helps prevent radiation
and convection heat loss when
portholes are opened for care.
• Similar to radiant warmers, some
incubators have servocontrol
mechanism units that monitor an
infant’s temperature and automatically
change the temperature of the
incubator as needed. Portholes must
remain closed to keep the Servocontrol
operating efficiently.
As an infant’s condition improves, weaning from an incubator
may be necessary. Dress an infant as if he or she were going
to be in a bassinet, then set the incubator about 2oF (1.2oC)
below the infant’s temperature. After a half-hour, assess
whether the infant is able to maintain body temperature.
• If so, lower the incubator temperature
another 2oF and continue until room
temperature is reached.
• If an infant cannot maintain adequate
temperature as the incubator
temperature level is lowered, he or she is
not yet ready for room-temperature air
• weaning process needs to be slowed or
stopped until the baby is more mature or
better able to self-regulate temperature.
Thank you for
Listening